First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains affiliated with the competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, was not fully motivated playing in LIV events. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour could welcome him immediately, possibly with a penalty. The PGA Tour had originally suspended him for a year after his last LIV participation, but lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, fitting well with the PGA Tour’s new schedule of nearly two dozen $20-million events with limited fields. This timing suits Koepka’s playing style and would appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely owners of the new top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the podcast \”Subpar,\” suggesting he will likely play minimum events and select major tournaments he prefers. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway on suspension decisions, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. On Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is again immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. His participation at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is also confirmed.
The enabling factor is the newly created \”Returning Member Program\” announced last Thursday, allowing selected LIV players to regain PGA Tour membership without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits were acknowledged, particularly his 2023 PGA Championship victory as his fifth major.
The PGA Tour statement clarifies that the special rule applies to major winners and Players Championship victors of the past three years, with the deadline on February 2. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizes this opportunity is a one-time exception without precedent or guarantee for future cases. This development may concern Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, and cause unrest within the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for joining LIV is mild: a $5