First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull to launch on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level sporting challenges and, reportedly, lacked full motivation in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the desire to secure a good retirement fund. His choice to skip the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible contract buyouts or partial refunds. Koepka remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound on which tours Koepka will appear next: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible perhaps after a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. The key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022.