First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competitor circuit but needs more time for family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in top-level sports challenges, something he only partially experienced at LIV. He initially joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, foregoing the contractually last season is unsurprising, though questions remain about buyouts or paybacks. Despite this, he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations abound on which fairways Koepka will next appear. The DP World Tour grants immediate playing rights—possibly with penalty fees—but the PGA Tour enforces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation, which has been reduced from lifetime bans previously imposed by then-Commissioner Jay Monahan. It seems cooperation is favored since any prominent LIV returnee strengthens the PGA Tour’s position. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
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