First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull joining YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he rarely found in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or wage repayments. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations arise about which tours Koepka will play on next: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility is possible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were eased? A friendly approach benefits the PGA Tour as every prominent LIV returnee strengthens their ranks. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, not renewed since 2022, to rejoin the player pool.