First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement, this decision was amicably agreed upon. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sporting challenges and has been limited in that regard at LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed pay? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound on which fairways Koepka will appear next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play—likely against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after the previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly eased? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the already stronger Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated to the players’ roster.
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