First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level sports confrontations, something he lacked at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly for financial security following injury concerns that threatened his career. Given this, his decision to skip the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he have to buy out? Repay part of his guaranteed salary? Will he stay owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, although the lifetime bans previously imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been greatly softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, plays perfectly into the hands of the more powerful tour? This key question now seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had lapsed after 2022, and to be readmitted as a player.