First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition and has not fully ignited at LIV. He moved there in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. It is unsurprising that he declined the final contractual season, though questions remain about contract buyouts or repayments. He also remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on — the DP World Tour, where he likely has immediate playing rights possibly with a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why remain vindictive when every LIV returnee strengthens the established tour? That question seems partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.