First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull is headed to 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was confirmed by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on hard competition, had limited motivation in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 largely for security due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping his final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about buyout or partial repayment of guaranteed money. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation centers on where Koepka will next compete—DP World Tour with likely immediate eligibility but possibly a fine, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance. After former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans, it seems the PGA Tour benefits from high-profile LIV returnees. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership not renewed after 2022.
See this post on Instagram