First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull is soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competitions. This was somewhat limited during his time at LIV. He primarily switched in 2022 to the Saudi circuit because he feared injury might end his career prematurely and wanted a good retirement payout for his personal pension fund. From this perspective, it is not surprising he waived the last contractually required playing season, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations are especially rife about on which fairways Koepka will appear next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play – presumably with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after the lifelong bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, prominently so, ultimately plays into the hands of the tour, which holds the longer lever? This essential question now seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally submitted an application last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be reinstated into the player roster.