First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull is launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Many doubt this, knowing Koepka’s competitive nature thrives on top-level contests, something LIV arguably lacked for him. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the opportunity to secure a substantial retirement fund, his decision to skip the final contractual season comes as no surprise, though questions remain about any payout or team ownership status as Smash GC captain Talor Gooch takes lead.
Speculation swirls about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He could play on the DP World Tour immediately, likely with a penalty, or aim for the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following softened lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why exact revenge when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour financially? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his inactive PGA Tour membership for post-2022, seeking to rejoin the tour ranks.