First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. That was the amicable agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping the last contracted season raises questions: did he buy out his contract or refund part of the guaranteed salary? Is he still the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, likely with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, but the former lifetime bans by commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why be vengeful when returning LIV players benefit the tour holding the upper hand? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed post-2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ pool.