First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull will soon launch 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, known as a fierce competitor who thrives under high-level competition, was less motivated during his LIV stint. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed payment. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly paying a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, reduced from an original lifetime ban. This question seems partially answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022.
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