First start at the Farmers already, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to official LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives at the highest level challenges, which he found limited at LIV. Originally, he joined LIV in 2022 aiming to secure a good retirement fund after injury doubts. Skipping his last contracted season is understandable, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay any guaranteed money. He remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations arise about where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, although former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans have been significantly relaxed. Why hold grudges when prominent LIV returnees suit the dominant tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.