First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only by high-level competition, which LIV did not fully provide. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV because he feared his career was over due to injury and wanted to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is no surprise, although questions remain. Did he have to buy himself out or return part of the guaranteed pay? Is he still the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife as to where Koepka will tee off next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play – perhaps after a fine? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, although former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans have been downgraded significantly? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a top name, plays into the hands of the stronger, longer-established tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and be readmitted to the players’ circle.