First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aiming for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known as a fierce competitor energized by top-level challenges, was not fully motivated at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns about ending his career prematurely and securing a substantial retirement fund. Given this, his decision to forego the final contracted season is unsurprising, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed fees? He also remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play on next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty fee? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after the lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? It makes little sense to be vengeful when any returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one, benefits the dominant tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.