First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season that begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to an official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 largely because injuries made him consider an early retirement and he wanted to secure a good retirement fund. Given this, his decision to skip the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial terms and ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will play on next. The DP World Tour would allow him immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty fee, while the PGA Tour has a one-year suspension for players who competed in LIV events, a ban that has since been considerably softened. Notably, the PGA Tour recently allowed other LIV returnees to play, and the same seems to be shaping for Koepka. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not extended after 2022 and to be reinstated as a playing member.