First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor at heart, motivated by top-level competition, which he only partially found at LIV. He joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. His decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is growing regarding Koepka’s future playing grounds: the DP World Tour, where he would have immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance. The lifetime bans previously imposed by ex-Commissioner Jay Monahan have been substantially relaxed. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, plays into the hands of the established tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the player ranks.
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