First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up mainly during sporting contests on the highest level, something he experienced less at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his opting out of the last contracted playing season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of the guaranteed salary. He remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty; or PGA Tour, where he would need to serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime suspensions by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, supports the highly leveraged PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a player member.