First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull will soon launch a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which LIV failed to fully provide. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily because an injury had made him doubt continuing his career and wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Therefore, his relinquishment of his last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out, repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations arise about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour offers immediate eligibility—possibly with a penalty? Or will it be the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after previously lifetime bans by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? There is no need for revenge when every LIV returnee benefits the dominant PGA Tour. This question has been partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.