First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another go, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time.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. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition, something he felt only partially at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is understandable, though questions remain. Was there a buyout or repayment of guaranteed money? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch the new captain?
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour membership would be immediately available, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player aids the more powerful PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022.
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A possible suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited, top-tier fields—a perfect comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said 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 for high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps Ponte Vedra Beach will overlook the suspension for a five-time major champion. Besides the board, player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee influence suspension decisions; Rory McIlroy supports Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open end of January in Torrey Pines. Participation is also 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 sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship, were considered.
The PGA Tour statement says the special rule applies to major and Players champions from the last three years until February 2. \