First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to return, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition and heats up during such contests, something somewhat lacking in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury made him consider early retirement and he wanted a solid retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contractual season isn’t surprising, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Major speculation now surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights—likely with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV participation, after previously lifetime bans were significantly softened under former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when reinstating LIV returnees benefits the already dominant tour? This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership not renewed after 2022 and rejoin the players’ circle.