First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns, aiming to secure a solid retirement fund. His opting out of the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions persist about buyouts or repayment of guaranteed fees. Will the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain?
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will return to next – the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after lifetime suspensions were significantly softened by former commissioner Jay Monahan. However, returning LIV players with significant profiles benefit the PGA Tour’s leverage. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming for reinstatement.