First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh tries again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable arrangement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up during top-level competition, which he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. He joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022, mainly due to injury concerns about ending his career and securing a solid retirement fund. Given this, his waiver of the final contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he have to buy out or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound over which fairways Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play – possibly against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV participation, after the lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the already more powerful tour? This crucial question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be readmitted to the player roster.