First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launching a 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found only limited in LIV. He initially moved to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure solid retirement earnings. Therefore, his skipping the last contracted season raises questions: Did he have to buy out of the contract or repay part of the guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation arises about where Koepka will tee off next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate play—probably with a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, following significant softening of previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the stronger leverage? This key question appears partially answered. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player roster.