First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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 winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets motivated and fired up mainly in high-level sporting contests, something he experienced only to a limited degree at LIV. Originally, he joined LIV in 2022 due to doubts about continuing his career after injuries and saw it as a chance to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, his waiver of the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain. Was there a buyout or partial repayment? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which already appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will appear next. At the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly after a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he has a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after the life bans handed down by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly eased? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a notable one, benefits the more powerful PGA Tour? This key question now 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, seeking reinstatement.