First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to return, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, something he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly believing his career was nearing its end due to injuries and seeking a substantial retirement fund. Thus, forgoing the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or repaying part of his guaranteed salary. It’s also unclear if the 35-year-old remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next tee off. The DP World Tour allows immediate play, potentially with a penalty, while the PGA Tour enforces a one-year suspension after the last LIV event, though lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been eased. Returning players, especially prominent ones, benefit the dominant PGA Tour, making a comeback likely. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
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