First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, though skepticism remains. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated during top-level competition, which he lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions linger about buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty—or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, now reduced from a lifetime ban. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership after 2022. An eventual suspension would end in August—near the 2026 season close with the Tour Championship. He would be eligible to play again in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a new, limited-field, high-value event schedule appealing to top players and investors.