First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back too, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which was limited at LIV. In 2022, Koepka mainly joined LIV because he feared an early career end due to injuries and wanted to secure a good retirement fund. So his skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, even though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunding part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, as lifetime bans from former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the Tour, which holds the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which wasn’t renewed after 2022, and be reinstated as a Tour player.