First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries and to secure a solid retirement fund. It’s therefore unsurprising he declined the final contractual year, though questions remain about financial settlements and if he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation centers on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible possibly after a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, a suspension softened from a lifetime ban. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his 2022-terminated PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks.
Any suspension would expire in August, timing with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—ideal for his return. This also benefits PGA Tour Enterprises investors who would welcome another high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play the minimum to start, and why not the big events he likes. If he can qualify or get invites to top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” There could be leniency due to his five majors and recommendations from player directors including Rory McIlroy and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January. His participation in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is also confirmed.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a recently created rule allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win—the fifth major—were considered.
The PGA Tour states this special rule applies to major and Players winners from the past three years. The deadline is February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called it a one-time, clearly defined opportunity with no guarantee of recurrence, causing concern among LIV Golf and players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation, exclusion from the 202