First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary and whether he remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation centers on which fairways Koepka will next appear. He is eligible to play on the DP World Tour immediately, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after the initial lifetime bans were softened. It makes sense not to hold grudges since any high-profile LIV returnee benefits the more established tour. This question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, seeking re-entry to the players’ circle.