First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests and gets fired up during competitions, something he found limited in LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement pension. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, although questions linger. Did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed pay? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights — possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the longer-established tour? This significant question now seems partly 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 be readmitted to competition.