First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back too, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up only in top-level contests, which he lacked at LIV. He switched to the Saudi circuit in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a solid retirement fund. Hence, skipping his last contractual season is unsurprising though questions linger. Did he have to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed fee? Is he still owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will appear next. The DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible promptly—probably with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after lifetime bans imposed by ex-commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly relaxed? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the established Tour? This question seems partly answered now. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the player ranks.