First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh keen to compete again, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns affecting his career and the opportunity to secure retirement earnings. Therefore, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his continued ownership in LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations continue about where Koepka will next play. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly subject to penalties, or could return to the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened the initial lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when notable LIV returnees serve the interests of the more dominant PGA Tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking reinstatement.