First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something the LIV league offered limited motivation for him. He had initially joined LIV in 2022 aiming to secure a good retirement fund, as he thought his career might be ending due to injuries. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract, or repay part of his guaranteed earnings? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Most speculation surrounds where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly paying a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after life bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? There’s little incentive to be vindictive when any prominent LIV returnee benefits the already dominant PGA Tour. This key question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player ranks after not renewing post-2022.