Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to an amicable agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a competitive type who thrives in high-level contests, was only partially motivated by LIV. Originally joining LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and securing a retirement fund, his decision to skip the last contractual season is unsurprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or partial returns of guaranteed payments. Despite this, the 35-year-old remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, recently appointing Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations arise about where Koepka will next compete: the DP World Tour, where he’d be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, which has lifted lifetime bans with a one-year suspension post-LIV participation. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.