First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh is back on track, and Charley Hull is 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to a statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who gets motivated and fired up only in the heat of top-level contests, was less engaged in LIV events. He originally joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries that threatened to end his career early and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His decision to forgo the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about the terms of his departure, including whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed payout. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will compete on next. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty payment, or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a star like Koepka, benefits the tour with greater leverage? This question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed since 2022, and to rejoin the player ranks.