First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull will soon launch 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition, which he experienced only limitedly in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about his career ending and to secure a considerable retirement fund. Given that, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He also remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds regarding which fairways Koepka will soon play on. He would be immediately eligible for the DP World Tour—possibly for a penalty fee—or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans significantly. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the tour holding the upper hand? This key question now seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he had not renewed after 2022.