First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a fierce competitor who thrives on high-level competition, had limited motivation during his LIV stint. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. It is not surprising he declined his last contracted season, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay some guaranteed earnings. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will next compete on: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension stemming from his last LIV outing. The lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly softened, and returning LIV players may benefit the stronger tour. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, aiming to rejoin the player pool after not renewing post-2022.