First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion plans to remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was the official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets motivated and fired up by high-level competition, which was somewhat limited during his LIV tenure. He initially joined LIV in 2022, fearing an early career end due to injuries and looking to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, foregoing the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about possible buyouts or paybacks. Koepka remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will play on next. He could join the DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible to play, perhaps subject to a penalty. Or return to the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV start, but the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly relaxed. It makes little sense to be vindictive as every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the dominant PGA Tour. This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement into the player pool after not renewing in 2022.