First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who gets fired up and motivated for top-level challenges, which LIV hasn’t fully offered. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a strong retirement fund. So forgoing the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or guarantee repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculation focuses on which fairways Koepka will appear on next — the DP World Tour where he has immediate eligibility, possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, considering previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not extended after 2022, seeking reinstatement among players.
View this post on Instagram