First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to play again, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but requires more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He had switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns threatening his career and the prospect of securing a solid retirement fund. Hence, skipping his final contracted season is hardly surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed pay. It also remains unclear if the 35-year-old retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next compete: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately—possibly facing a penalty—or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension looms after his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every prominent LIV returnee benefits the established tour that clearly holds the upper hand? This major question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.