First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV only partially offered. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him fear the end of his career, and he wanted to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, it’s not surprising he declined the final contractual season, though questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where he would be instantly eligible—possibly with a penalty payment? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a marquee name, benefits the more powerful PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partly answered. 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 as a tour player.