First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, was less motivated during his time in LIV, having joined primarily in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure retirement funds. Speculations arise whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary, and whether he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Most notably, questions swirl about which fairways Koepka will play next – the DP World Tour, where he would have immediate playing rights possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension has been in place since his last LIV appearance, lightened from the initial lifetime bans. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, aiming to rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields, an ideal comeback scenario favored by Koepka and investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises.
Jon Rahm recently expressed belief Koepka will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing selectively in preferred high-profile events. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee retain influence over suspension decisions, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka immediate play.
Update: Koepka was granted immediate PGA Tour playing rights, confirmed Monday evening local time, and will debut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program\” established last Thursday, permitting selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension, based on recent major wins like Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity expiring February 2, with no guarantee of recurrence. This development sends signals to players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, while unsettling the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million donation to PGA Tour charity, exclusion from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus system, and a five-year ban from PGA Tour Enterprise equity participation.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf League’s 2026 season with the Crushers along with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, continuing into the league’s fifth season. However, no general contract extension