First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; he remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sporting challenges, which he found limited at LIV. Having moved to LIV in 2022 when he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a solid retirement payout, it is not surprising he skips the final contracted season, though questions remain about financial arrangements and whether he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete — on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, a sanction much softened from the previous lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee strengthens the established tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership suspended since 2022 to rejoin the player ranks.