First start at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season, beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more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. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited on LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund, so his skipping the last contractual season isn’t surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or salary repayments. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will compete next — the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible to play immediately (likely with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he would have served a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans were significantly relaxed. Why hold grudges when every high-profile LIV returnee benefits the long-established tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated into the player pool after not renewing it post-2022.
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