First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull going 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit, but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who gets highly motivated during sports competitions at the highest level, which he lacked somewhat at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him fear an early end to his career and he sought a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractually required season isn’t surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out the contract or refund part of the guaranteed money. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on. The DP World Tour would immediately grant him playing rights – possibly with a penalty – or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after the lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly relaxed. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, plays into the hands of the tour with the upper hand? This key question appears partially answered now. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he had not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a member.