First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh back on PGA Tour, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil issued a friendly statement about the mutual agreement. Koepka is a competitive type motivated by top-level contests, something he lacked in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a retirement fund, his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or repayment. Koepka at 35 remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations abound concerning Koepka’s next fairways. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or seek PGA Tour reinstatement, where he would face a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. The former commissioner’s lifetime bans have since been softened. Returning LIV players, especially prominent ones like Koepka, benefit the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after his 2022 expiration to regain player status.
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