First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for more, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive spirit who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He switched in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns and to secure a retirement fund. His decision to forgo the final contract year comes as no surprise, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain owner of LIV Team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after prior lifetime suspensions imposed by Commissioner Jay Monahan were eased? It seems friendship prevails rather than retribution, benefiting the PGA Tour, which holds the upper hand. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and regain playing privileges after 2022.