First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain associated with the rival circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s friendly agreement statement. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, something he found only limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a significant retirement payout. Skipping the final contracted season raises questions: Did he buy out of the contract or repay part of his guarantee? Is he still the owner of LIV team Smash GC, recently appointing Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation focuses on where Koepka will next play. Possibly the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, perhaps paying a penalty, or returning to the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, following softening of previously imposed lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when prominent LIV returnees ultimately benefit the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming for reinstatement.