As the frost clears and the 2026 golf season tees off, the landscape of professional golf is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Between a major return of stars to the PGA Tour, significant schedule overhauls, and the looming presence of “The King” turning 50, this year promises to be one of the most pivotal in the sport’s history.
Here is your comprehensive preview of the 2026 Golf Season.
The “Returning Member” Program: A Shift in Power
The biggest headline of the new year isn’t a tournament, but a policy. The PGA Tour has officially launched its “Returning Member Program,” creating a pathway for former LIV golfers to return to the circuit.
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The Koepka Effect: Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka stunned the golf world by resigning from LIV Golf in late December to rejoin the PGA Tour. He is scheduled to make his official return at the Farmers Insurance Open (Jan 22-25).
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The Dominoes: While Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm remain committed to LIV for now, the door is officially open. The move is seen as a “shot across the bow” in the ongoing merger negotiations, signaling the PGA Tour’s intent to reunite the world’s best players under one banner.
PGA Tour Schedule: Miami is Back
The 2026 schedule features 35 official events, but the clear standout is the return of a legendary venue.
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The Miami Championship: For the first time since 2016, the Tour returns to Trump National Doral (The Blue Monster) from April 27–May 3. It will serve as a Signature Event, replacing the Mexico Open in the spring slot.
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Field Size Adjustments: In an effort to improve pace of play, the Tour has reduced field sizes for several events. Most notably, The Players Championship will now feature 120 players (down from 144), ensuring rounds finish before sunset.
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New Fall Destinations: The FedExCup Fall will feature two new stops: the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, NC, and the Good Good Championship in Austin, TX, catering to the younger, YouTube-driven audience.
Tiger Woods at 50: The Champions Tour Question
On December 30, 2025, Tiger Woods hit the milestone age of 50. This change in eligibility has the golf world buzzing about a potential “Senior Tour” debut.
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The Health Update: Tiger recently confirmed he has been cleared to hit mid-to-short irons following his seventh back surgery. However, he admitted he is “a ways away” from hitting drivers and competing at a high level.
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The Carts Factor: The biggest draw for Tiger on the PGA Tour Champions would be the ability to use a golf cart. While his priority remains the four Majors, a potential debut at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in May would be the biggest event in senior golf history.
The Major Storylines to Watch
| Major | Date | Venue | The Story |
| The Masters | April 9–12 | Augusta National | Can Rory McIlroy repeat? After finally completing the career Grand Slam in 2025, he returns to Augusta as the defending champion. |
| PGA Championship | May 14–17 | Aronimink GC | Scottie Scheffler looks to defend his 2025 title on a course known for punishing ball-striking tests. |
| U.S. Open | June 18–21 | Shinnecock Hills | Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite to complete his own career Grand Slam here. He only needs the U.S. Open trophy to join the elite club. |
| The Open | July 16–19 | Royal Birkdale | Reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun and World No. 1 Scheffler lead a field battling the elements in Southport. |
LIV Golf: 2026 Expansion
Despite the departures, LIV Golf enters its fifth season with a roster of 57 players across 13 teams.
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Global Reach: The 2026 season kicks off February 4th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, played entirely under stadium lights. The league will also make its first-ever stop in South Africa at the Steyn City complex in March.
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New Faces: Thomas Detry and Byeong Hun An are among the notable names joining the league for 2026, while Anthony Kim secured his spot as a wild card through the promotions event.
The 16th Presidents Cup
The season will culminate in September at Medinah Country Club in Chicago. Jim Furyk (USA) and Mike Weir (International) will lead their teams in what many hope will be a more competitive clash following the USA’s dominance in 2024.
