First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual, friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, which LIV had limited for him. He initially switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career soon while securing a solid retirement fund. So his opting out of the last contracted playing season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or partial salary repayments. Does he still own the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with penalties. The PGA Tour imposed a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, but lifetime bans set by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly eased. After all, welcoming returning LIV players, especially high-profile ones, benefits the longer-established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.