First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level sports confrontations, something he experienced only partially in LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts and his ownership status of LIV’s Smash GC team, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, possibly paying a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he currently has a one-year suspension pending since his last LIV participation, after lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened? It makes sense not to be vindictive, especially as the PGA Tour benefits from high-profile LIV returnees. ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership post-2022 and be reinstated as a player.
See