Can Brooks Koepka start at the Sony Open in Hawaii 2026? Ex LIV star’s eligibility explored

After his departure from the LIV Golf circuit, fans are eagerly awaiting Brooks Koepka’s next move. While speculation mounts about his return to the PGA Tour, it seems unlikely that he will make a comeback at the upcoming Sony Open in Hawaii 2026 for a few key reasons.

The PGA Tour 2026 season is set to kick off next week with the Sony Open in Hawaii. Taking place from Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, January 18 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, it marks the first event of the year.

In a surprising turn of events, Brooks Koepka recently announced his exit from the Saudi-backed circuit due to family reasons. However, he has kept his next destination under wraps. According to current PGA Tour regulations, any player returning from LIV Golf must undergo a one-year cooling-off period.

Having last participated in the LIV Team Championship in August, Koepka will not be eligible to compete on the PGA Tour until later this year. While there is a possibility that the PGA Tour may amend the rule or grant the 35-year-old an exception, as of now, he is not eligible to compete.

Speculation is rife that Koepka may make his comeback on the DP World Tour, where he could potentially receive an invitation. Notably, his last appearance was at the European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Reflecting on Koepka’s performance in 2025, it was a mixed bag for the golfer. With just two top-ten finishes in LIV Golf and no titles to his name, he also experienced his first-ever missed cuts in three major championships. While he failed to make the cut in two DP World Tour events, he did manage to secure a fourth-place finish at the FedEx Open de France.

Here’s a breakdown of Koepka’s results in 2025:

LIV Golf Events:
– LIV Golf Riyadh: T33, −5
– LIV Golf Adelaide: T7, −6
– LIV Golf Hong Kong: T35, −5
– LIV Golf Singapore: 2, −12
– LIV Golf Miami: T18, +4
– LIV Golf Mexico City: T30, +1
– LIV Golf Korea: T17, −5
– LIV Golf Virginia: T33, −3
– LIV Golf Dallas: Withdrawn
– LIV Golf Andalucía: T32, +4
– LIV Golf United Kingdom: T47, +3
– LIV Golf Chicago: T29, E
– LIV Golf Indianapolis: 50, +1
– LIV Golf Michigan (Stroke Play): T5, −5

2025 PGA TOUR Events:
– Masters Tournament: Missed Cut
– PGA Championship: Missed Cut
– U.S. Open: T12, +6
– The Open: Missed Cut

2024–25 DP World Tour Events:
– Amgen Irish Open: Missed Cut
– BMW PGA Championship: Missed Cut
– FedEx Open de France: 4, −14
– Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: T15, −10

As golf enthusiasts eagerly await Brooks Koepka’s next move, it remains to be seen where the talented golfer will make his return. Whether it’s on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, or elsewhere, fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on his journey in the world of professional golf.