First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, and Charley Hull is launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka announced he would not participate in the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This amicable agreement was stated officially by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked somewhat in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure retirement earnings, his skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising though questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. Also, is he still an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as its new captain?
Speculation grows on which tours Koepka will play next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty payment, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction in previously lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. The important question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player after it was not renewed post-2022.