First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets motivated mainly by high-level competition, which was limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure strong retirement earnings. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is no surprise, though questions remain about buyouts or repayments and whether the 35-year-old remains an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations arise about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly subject to a fine, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event applies. However, lifetime bans imposed under former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Returning LIV players benefit the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand, so the main question seems partially answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, previously not renewed after 2022, for reinstatement into the player pool.