First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he found only limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries threatened his career’s end, and he wanted to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, giving up his final contracted season comes as no surprise, though questions remain about possible buyouts or partial refunds of guaranteed money. Koepka remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next. He is immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, possibly subject to penalties, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant easing of the previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the PGA Tour? This key question appears partially answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported last Friday that Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player after not renewing post-2022.