First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives under high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns affecting his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain whether he bought out the contract or repaid part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns his LIV team, Smash GC, with Talor Gooch appointed captain.
Speculation is growing regarding where Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, perhaps with a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened life bans drastically. Given the PGA Tour’s advantages, the question of Koepka’s next fairways is partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which expired after 2022.