First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, had limited motivation playing in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career’s end and to secure a solid retirement fund. It is therefore not surprising he skipped the last contractually mandatory season, though questions remain about potential buyouts or paybacks. At 35, he remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound regarding where Koepka will play next. He would be eligible immediately for the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty, or possibly on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban since his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the stronger tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which wasn’t renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.