First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only through high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. In 2022, Koepka mostly switched to LIV due to injury concerns about his career ending and to secure a good retirement package. Thus, opting out of the final contractual season is unsurprising, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed purse? Is he still an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—probably with some penalty? Or back on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after the previously imposed lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why be vengeful when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the already stronger tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement to the player roster.