First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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. Koepka, known as a competitive player motivated by high-level competition, has been less engaged at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, seeking a solid retirement fund. His decision to forgo his final contractual season is not surprising, though questions about potential buyouts or refunds linger. It also remains unclear if the 35-year-old retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will appear on next. He would be immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, possibly subject to a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, though lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly eased. There’s a strategic advantage for the PGA Tour in welcoming back prominent LIV players. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to regain player status.