First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has declined to participate in the 2026 LIV Golf League season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His opting out of his final contractual season raises questions: did he have to buy out his contract partially? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka will play on next. DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty fee. PGA Tour membership expired after his last LIV event, with a one-year suspension from play per former commissioner Jay Monahan’s heavily softened lifetime bans. Returning prominent LIV players to the PGA Tour benefits the longer-established circuit. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally submitted last Friday a request to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, seeking to rejoin the playing membership after 2022.
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