First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning to compete, and Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up mainly through high-level competition, which he somewhat lacked at LIV. In fact, he switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a substantial retirement fund. So giving up the last contractually required playing season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he buy out of his contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction of previously life-long bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the already dominant Tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a tour member.
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