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As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected with the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to the official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeill. Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only when playing at the highest level, something he did less so in LIV. He switched mostly in 2022 due to injuries threatening his career and aimed to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the contractually final season is not surprising, although questions remain about buyouts or partial paybacks. Is Koepka, 35, still an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
The main speculation centers on which fairways Koepka will appear next. On the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, likely with a penalty fee, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after the previously lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the tour holding the leverage? This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to be readmitted to the player ranks.