First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to join YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, found motivation limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Skipping his last contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed earnings, and if he remains an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is ripe about where Koepka will next play. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible to play immediately, possibly facing a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, since former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans significantly? There’s little incentive for vindictiveness when LIV returnees benefit the dominant PGA Tour. This key question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the playing field.