First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only in high-level sporting contests, which was somewhat limited in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him doubt the continuation of his career and he wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Given that, his skipping the final contracted season is understandable, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next appear. On the DP World Tour, where he would immediately be eligible to play – probably against a penalty payment? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after the lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the already stronger Tour? This vital question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.