Tuesday Jan 13, 2026
FIRST THOUGHT

Brooks Koepka is being allowed to return to the PGA Tour in 2026 via the new Returning Player Program. Koepka qualified for the program via his 2023 PGA Championship victory, but he will pay a severe financial cost. CEO Brian Rolapp says the program “mandates heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earnings that we believe properly holds returning members accountable for substantial compensation earned elsewhere."
What does that look like for Koepka?
▪️ He will be ineligible for 2026 FedEx Cup Bonus payouts.
▪️ He has agreed to make a $5 million charitable donation to an organization that he and PGA Tour will determine.
▪️ He will forfeit potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program for a period of five years.
That adds up to between $55 million and $90 million, according to PGA Tour estimates.

POLL

▪️ Will your bag of clubs look different in 2026? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Will Brooks Koepka return to the PGA Tour in 2026? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ In LPGA Tour commissioner Craig Kessler's first full season, what do you believe should be his main objectives? | Respond
▪️ Previous: Looking into a crystal ball for 2026, what do you believe will be the major storylines in golf? | Read

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS
The American squad will be named following the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open
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Agreement designates LevelBlue as the official cybersecurity advisor of the PGA of America, PGA Championship, and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship through 2028
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Carpenter will oversee the golf technology company’s expansion beyond Europe
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Europe’s No. 1 push cart and golf bag manufacturer, taps the former Wilson global commercial director to head its operations in the U.S. market
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Using data-driven insights, Golfstix helps golfers save money and find the right clubs
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True Spec North Georgia has moved from its original location to Acworth, Georgia, and is now open to the public and booking appointments for fittings
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Registration for booth space is open for the event, scheduled for July 7-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Five-time champion Bernhard Langer and former world No. 1 players David Duval and Tom Lehman also in 78-player field for PGA Tour Champions event, Feb. 13-15 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida
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Seventh annual event set for Jan. 24-25 at Torrey Pines Golf Course with the champion receiving a sponsor exemption into the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open
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The 15-18 champions at the FCG International and FCG Callaway World Championship will earn entry into the 2026 event
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The accessory manufacturer will debut an updated version of its flagship product, The Purist, along with The Pilgrim, a new organizer for golfers who approach golf with a minimalist intentionality
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The brand will give an exclusive first look at its 2026 Summer / Fall Collection
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Roboranger will be demonstrated live during Demo Day on Jan. 20
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The line blends a retro vibe with modern performance, resulting in apparel that is both nostalgic and ready for the course
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Company will showcase the Range Picker, Inrange and ball management technology
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LM1 Launch Monitor, H50 GPS Handheld device and LoopOne GPS speaker are the company's latest innovations
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The company will demonstrate the latest advancements in wireless charging technology for golf carts, neighborhood electric vehicles and personal transportation vehicles
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The Bahamas destination's "Say Yes to Atlantis" package features 35% in savings for a limited time.
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The September episode showcases the Michigan destination, which consists of 11 courses at three resorts
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DrinkTanks: Appoints Read the Greens, Golf Media Inc., as its public relations agency of record. Read the Greens will initiate a targeted public relations and media campaign for the Drink Tanks at the PGA Show. ... Johnnie-O: Signs PGA Tour players Jake Knapp and J.T. Poston to multiyear endorsement contracts that will activate at this week's Sony Open in Hawaii. ... East West Matches: Names USGA champions Trip Kuehne and Paul Simson as the respective team captains for the 2026 Matches at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas, Nov. 6-8.

EXPANDED NOTES >

RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ Brooks Koepka returns to PGA Tour under stiff financial penalty just 5 weeks after leaving LIV Golf
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

▪️ Brooks Koepka says he has ‘a lot of work to do’ with PGA Tour players upon his return
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

▪️ Inside the PGA Tour's shocking decision to allow Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm back
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

▪️ LIV Golf responds to Koepka / PGA Tour news and it sounds awfully familiar
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

▪️ Brooks Koepka is returning to PGA Tour. Here are 10 questions you might have
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

ICYMI
TFC Inbox: The crystal ball sees a lot of Scottie Scheffler, LIV in the forecast
Readers of The First Call see another dominant season on the horizon, along with turbulence on LIV and a shift to more short-course play among the year's top predictions.
TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

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TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Assistant Director — LIVE
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

▪️ Director of Golf
Downingtown Country Club
Downingtown, Pennsylvania | Info

▪️ Event Coordinator
Epic Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

CALENDAR

JANUARY
19-21: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
20-22: BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, Harrogate, England | Info
20-23: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info

FEBRUARY
17-21: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Anaheim, California | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.