First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the course, Charley Hull launching on YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his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 gets motivated and fired up only in top-level contests, which he only marginally experienced in LIV. In fact, he joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or refund part of the guaranteed payment? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next appear. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, presumably for a fine? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after the former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? Taking a hard stance seems pointless when every high-profile LIV returnee benefits the established Tour. This crucial question appears 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.