First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another shot, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family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 competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, something he had limited motivation for in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns potentially ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractually obligated season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed fee? Is he still owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch captain?
Speculations about which tours Koepka will appear on next are flourishing: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year ban for his last LIV appearance, reduced from a lifetime ban previously imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the longer-armed established tour? This crucial question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.