First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain 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. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement payout. Therefore, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain — did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old still own his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation abounds on which tours Koepka will appear next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate play, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why seek revenge when every returning LIV player ultimately benefits the stronger tour? This key issue seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, inactive since 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.