First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull launching a 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, had limited motivation at LIV. In 2022, he mainly joined LIV due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, forfeiting the final contractual season is unsurprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or refunding parts of his guaranteed salary. It is unclear if he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation intensifies regarding where Koepka will compete next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after life bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan were heavily softened? Welcoming prominent LIV returnees benefits the PGA Tour, now with greater leverage. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership for the first time since 2022 and rejoin the playing field.