First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another shot, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has announced his withdrawal from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he only partially found at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career’s end and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping his last contracted playing season is not surprising, though questions remain if he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation is rife on where Koepka will play next. He is eligible to play immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly against a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension for his last LIV participation, after previously imposed lifetime bans were significantly eased. Why hold grudges when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the more powerful Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool after not extending it post-2022.