First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh also making a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil issued a friendly statement to that effect. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up by top-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He primarily joined LIV in 2022 anticipating an early end to his career due to injuries and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyout or wage repayments. Is the 35-year-old still owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
The speculation mainly revolves around where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly paying a fine? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after formerly lifetime bans issued by Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vindictive if every returning LIV player strengthens the already dominant tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player pool.