First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a highly competitive athlete who thrives on top-level competition, something he only occasionally experienced with LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries late in his career and to secure a solid retirement fund, it is not surprising he declined to play the final contracted season, though questions remain regarding any buyout or partial guarantee repayment. He is still the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound about on which fairways Koepka will next appear. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were eased. The key question now seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed post-2022, and to be reinstated as a player.