First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which kicks off on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion plans to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed on amicably, according to LIV-CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a fierce competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something lacking in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly for financial security toward retirement after injuries clouded his career end. So his decision to skip the final contracted season comes as no surprise, though questions remain about contract buyouts or ownership stakes in his LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds regarding which tours Koepka will appear on next. He would be eligible to play on the DP World Tour immediately, perhaps with a penalty payment, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event following severe sanctions that were later softened. Why be vindictive, when every returning LIV player strengthens the already dominant PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to return to the player pool.