First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who is most motivated and fired up during high-level contests, something he experienced only partially in LIV. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV due to injury concerns about his career’s longevity and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Thus, his waiver of the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed sum? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Most speculation centers on which fairways Koepka will play on next – 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 from his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of lifetime bans initially imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every high-profile LIV returnee benefits the longer-established 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 had not been renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.