First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competitions, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns late in his career and to secure a retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contractual season was not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound about where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, which would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans were significantly softened? The PGA Tour stands to benefit from high-profile LIV returnees. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, previously not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.
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