First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, something he only partially experienced in LIV Golf. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, thinking his career was ending and wanting to secure a retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He would be immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, possibly against a penalty fee, or on the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following lessened lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a star like him, benefits the PGA Tour? This key question appears partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player pool.