First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found lacking at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement payout. So his decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his ownership status of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will play on next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, though lifetime bans have been greatly softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player strengthens the better-endowed PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered: ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.