First start already at the Farmers; Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type, motivated and fired up during top-level competitions — something he lacked somewhat in LIV Golf. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly because he feared his career was ending prematurely due to injuries and sought a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contractually mandated season is not surprising, although questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed payment. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations are high about where Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty; or on the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a big name, helps the powerful 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 was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a playing member.