First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull heads to YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, something he felt less at LIV. Koepka had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a good retirement fund. His skipping the last contract year raises questions: Did he buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will next play. He is eligible immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post his last LIV event after earlier lifetime bans were softened. Returning to the PGA Tour benefits the tour and Koepka’s profile. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership post-2022.
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