First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another go, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level sporting contests, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. His decision to skip the last contractually obliged season raises questions: Did he buy out of the contract or return part of his guaranteed paycheck? Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will next appear: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance following the reduction of previous lifetime bans imposed by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every high-profile LIV returnee benefits the longer-standing 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 renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the player pool.