First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a retirement fund, it is not surprising he is foregoing the last contracted season. Questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary, and whether he remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculations flourish regarding which tour Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour could grant him immediate eligibility, possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly eased. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the dominant Tour? The key question seems partly answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to regain playing rights.