First tee at Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially deregistered from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. According to LIV CEO Scott McNeil, this was an amicable agreement. However, Koepka is known as a competitive fighter who thrives in high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. Having switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund, his decision to skip the final contracted season raises questions. Has he paid a buyout or returned part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation revolves around where Koepka will compete next. He could immediately play on the DP World Tour, possibly facing a penalty, or aim for the PGA Tour where he has an existing one-year suspension from his last LIV event. Following reduced lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan, many LIV returnees, especially high-profile ones like Koepka, are welcomed back on the PGA Tour, which has the upper hand. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after 2022 and rejoin the player ranks.