First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, Charley Hull soon launching on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil's official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked with LIV, where he switched mainly in 2022 due to injury doubts about his career and sought a solid retirement fund. His decision to skip the last contracted season is therefore understandable, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility might require a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event. The previously lifetime suspension by former commissioner Jay Monahan has been significantly softened. Why be vindictive when each big-name LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour, which wields more influence? According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which ceased after 2022, seeking reinstatement.