First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up by competition at the highest level, something he experienced only to a limited extent with LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, forgoing the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would immediately grant him eligibility, probably against a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he would still need to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans were significantly softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. As it benefits the established PGA Tour to welcome back prominent LIV players, this key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, and be reinstated as a member.