First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to return, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets truly motivated by top-level sports competition, which he rarely found in LIV. He joined the Saudi-backed league mainly in 2022 due to injury concerns about his career ending prematurely and to secure a significant retirement payout. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain: did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will appear next. DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, likely with a penalty fee. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, as lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened. Why act vindictively when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, strengthens the already more powerful tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, to regain player status.