First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who is motivated and fires up only in top-level contests, something he missed somewhat at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly as he feared his career was ending due to injury and wanted to secure a retirement fund. Given this, skipping the final contracted season is no surprise, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out part of his guaranteed salary? Is he still an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV start – a suspension softened from a lifetime ban by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges against LIV returnees, when their return benefits the tour with longer leverage? This question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his 2022-expired PGA Tour membership to rejoin the playing group.