First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who is highly motivated by top-level competition, something he has found only limited in LIV Golf. He joined LIV in 2022 mostly because he feared his career was ending due to injury and wanted a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is unsurprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch its new captain?
Speculation is high on which fairways Koepka will next appear — DP World Tour where he would be eligible immediately, likely paying a penalty, or PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, now reduced from previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges if returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, help the more dominant tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ended after 2022, to rejoin the player field.