First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets highly motivated during top-level contests, which was somewhat limited at LIV. He switched to Saudi’s league in 2022 mainly because injury threatened to end his career early, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season isn’t surprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or partial refunds. He remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation rises about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, after lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Being vindictive doesn’t make sense since every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the established Tour wielding longer leverage. This crucial question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.