First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back too, and Charley Hull will soon launch a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was a friendly agreement. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level tournaments, something LIV did not fully provide. Originally, Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and a lucrative retirement fund opportunity. His opting out of the contractually required final season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and whether he remains an owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rampant about which tours Koepka will play on next. He would immediately be eligible for the DP World Tour, perhaps with a penalty, or he could return to the PGA Tour, serving a previously reduced one-year suspension from LIV participation. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. This timing aligns perfectly for Koepka to join the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited-field elite tournaments. Even investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a high-profile player like Koepka. Jon Rahm recently noted on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka will likely return, perhaps starting with key events he prefers. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee also influence suspension decisions, with Rory McIlroy advocating for Koepka’s immediate return.
Update: Indeed, Koepka’s return was confirmed Monday evening as he gained immediate PGA Tour eligibility and will compete at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines, with his Phoenix Open appearance also confirmed.
This was enabled by the new ‘Returning Member Program’ enacted last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s recent top merits—including his 2023 PGA Championship win—were key to this exception.
The PGA Tour stated this special rule applies to major and Players champions from the past three years and expires February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp emphasized this unique window is non-precedent setting. This development may cause concern for other LIV players and the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalties for joining LIV Golf are relatively mild: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and five-year ineligibility for PGA Tour Enterprises’ equity program.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Return in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in