First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for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 gets motivated and fired up mainly during top-level competition, something he lacked somewhat at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the last contractually agreed season is understandable, though questions linger. Did he have to buy out the contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will compete on next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after life bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the longer-established tour? This key question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the playing field.