First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This mutual agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his decision to forgo the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour where he could compete immediately, possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he would serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the former commissioner Jay Monahan’s softened lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the stronger PGA Tour? This question seems partially answered now. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership not extended after 2022 and be reinstated as a player.