First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain associated with the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitive fighter who thrives on high-level competition, has found limited motivation at LIV. He switched to the Saudi circuit in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, it’s no surprise he declined the last contracted season, though questions remain about buyouts or paybacks. Despite this, the 35-year-old remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will soon appear. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following the former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans being significantly softened? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star like Koepka, benefits the PGA Tour? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the player ranks.
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Any suspension would end in August, aligning with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would be eligible for 2027 as the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields, the perfect timing for a return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would also welcome a high-profile name like Koepka. Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast ‘Subpar’ that Koepka might take some time but would likely return and play at least the minimum, focusing on the big tournaments he enjoys. The player directors and the competition committee, led by Tiger Woods, have influence on suspension matters, and following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation, Koepka could be reinstated immediately.
Update: It happened as predicted. 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 at Torrey Pines at the end of January. He will also play the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. This is enabled by a new rule dubbed the ‘Returning Member Program’ created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, especially his 2023 PGA Championship win (his fifth major), were decisive. The PGA Tour statement notes this special rule applies to major champions and Players winners from the past three years, ending February