First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive player motivated by high-level competition, something that LIV only provided partially. He had joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, his waiver of the last contractually obligated season is understandable though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
There is much speculation about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty. Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, although previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been substantially reduced. It makes no sense to hold grudges when the return of prominent LIV players benefits the stronger tour. This key question now seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.