First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a retirement fund. So his skipping that last contracted season is not too surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rampant about which fairways Koepka will soon appear on. The DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible likely with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans were substantially softened by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that expired after 2022 and to be reinstated as a member.