First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited on LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and the desire to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayment of guarantees. He also remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will compete in next. He is eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, likely subject to a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly eased. This critical question seems partially answered: according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the playing field.
See this post on Instagram
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour unveils its condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-tier fields, a perfect moment for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome this high-profile name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile tournaments, he would play those too.\” There’s speculation the PGA Tour might lift Koepka’s suspension early, influenced by Rory McIlroy, who supports Koepka’s immediate return. This view is shared by many fans, according to a non-representative \”Bunkered\” magazine survey.
Update: As rumored, Koepka has been reinstated for the PGA Tour immediately and is set to play the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines this January. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. This is enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension.