First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine updates.
As expected, five-time major winner Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; he will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka, known as a highly competitive athlete motivated by top-level competition, had only limited motivation at LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2022 mostly due to injury concerns near the end of his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his decision to waive his final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or partial repayment of guaranteed money. He also remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour he would be immediately eligible, potentially with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after life bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the longer-established Tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not renewing it post-2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. He would be eligible for the 2027 season with the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments and limited elite fields — an ideal time for Koepka to make his comeback. This move would also appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, who welcome the addition of a strong 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 at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invites to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” It’s possible that the PGA Tour will overlook his suspension, given the backing from player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, and Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to grant Koepka immediate eligibility.
Update: It has happened. News spread quickly Monday evening local time 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, Arizona, is also confirmed.
This became possible through the recently created \”Returning Member Program,\” allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were considered, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win, his fifth major title.
The PGA Tour stated the special rule applies to major winners and Players champions from the last three years, with a deadline of February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rol