First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He had switched to Saudi-backed LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this context, his decision to forgo the contract’s final year is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or refunds. Koepka remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation swirls about which fairways Koepka will next appear on – the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible (possibly subject to penalties), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, although lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened. Why be spiteful when every LIV returnee ultimately benefits the stronger 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 lapsed after 2022, and return to the player ranks.