First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was a friendly agreement. However, Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only by top-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He switched mainly in 2022 due to injury concerns and the desire to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about buyouts or repayments. Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations bloom about where Koepka will appear next on the fairways. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he would need to serve a one-year ban after his last LIV start, following softening of the previously life-long suspensions by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when returning LIV players, especially prominent ones, benefit the tour that already holds the upper hand? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that ended after 2022 and be reinstated as a player.