First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7th in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives at the highest level, something he found limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening to end his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund, it is not surprising he has foregone the final contractual season. Remaining questions are whether he had to buy out his contract or return a portion of guaranteed earnings, and if he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour—potentially subject to a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after previously lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. It makes strategic sense not to be vindictive, as every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, benefits the stronger PGA Tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the playing field.