First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which he only partly found in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, his withdrawal from the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or refunding guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch recently named captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after earlier lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why be vengeful when every returning LIV player, especially a star, benefits the stronger Tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership left unextended after 2022 and be reinstated onto the player roster.