First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to play again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who is highly motivated only in high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury threatened to end his career and he wanted a substantial retirement fund. Consequently, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or pay back part of his guaranteed salary? Is he still the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will play on next. The DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible to play—likely with a penalty payment? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, supports the more powerful PGA Tour? This key question appears partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.