First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he found less so at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or partial guarantee repayments. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC with Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation is rife on which fairways Koepka will appear next—DP World Tour where he’d be eligible immediately perhaps against a penalty, or PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension post his last LIV event following the reduction of lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the established tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
An impending suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields—ideal timing for his comeback. This move would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely leading the new top league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or gets invites, he’d play those too.\” There’s even the possibility of leniency given Koepka’s five majors, with input from board members, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement of his immediate return.
Update: It happened as expected. Monday evening local time brought widespread news that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour, set to tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines and confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
The ‘Returning Member Program’, created last Thursday, allows selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s case reflected his sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour stated that this special rule applies to major and Players Championship winners from the past three years and expires on February 2. \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and sets no precedent,\” stated PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. This may give Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith pause and cause discomfort within LIV Golf.