First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitive type who gets motivated and fired up by top-level competition, found less of that at LIV. He switched to the Saudi-run league in 2022 mainly because injuries made him fear the end of his career, and he wanted a solid retirement fund. So his skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, although questions remain about financial arrangements. Is he still owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. The DP World Tour grants him immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after life bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were reduced. It makes little sense to be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a big name, benefits the established PGA Tour. This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he had not renewed after 2022.