First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager to compete, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive type who only gets motivated and fired up during top-level competition, which he only conditionally found in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury made him fear the end of his career and he wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he have to buy out his contract or pay back part of his guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already made Talor Gooch the new captain?
Speculations are mainly about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would immediately grant him playing rights – probably with a penalty fee? Or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened the previously lifelong bans? Why be vindictive when every high-profile LIV returnee fits well with the more powerful established tours? This key question seems partially answered now. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a member.