First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull launching YouTube. 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 remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed a friendly agreement, though skeptics remain. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, which he found limited at LIV. Originally joining LIV in 2022 after injury concerns ended his career, aiming for a lucrative retirement, it’s unsurprising that he opted out of his final contractual season. Uncertainties remain about buyouts or paybacks, and whether he retains ownership of his LIV Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds on where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, potentially requiring a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, since lifelong bans have softened. Given the benefit high-profile LIV returnees provide to the established tour, answers have emerged. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking re-entry to the player roster.
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