First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning as well, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time with his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries that threatened to end his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His choice to forgo his final contractual season is thus not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or payback of guaranteed money. He remains the owner of his LIV team, Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife as to where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after the previous lifetime bans by commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? The latter scenario seems clearer now. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.