First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh plans a comeback; Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has 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 family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV Golf. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury worries and to secure substantial retirement funds. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or partial paybacks. Koepka, 35, still owns the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour where he could be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension imposed after his last LIV event remains, though lifetime bans from former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees benefit the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed since 2022, aiming to be reinstated in the player pool.