First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he felt was limited at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career’s end, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given this, his choice to forgo the final contractual playing season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership in LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations swirl about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, a ban now significantly reduced from former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime suspensions. Why hold grudges when any returning LIV player, especially a high-profile one, benefits the more influential tours? This key question partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to the players’ circle after not extending it post-2022.