First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for a comeback, Charley Hull launching on YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and fired up only through high-level sports contests, something lacking at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries made him doubt the continuation of his career, aiming to secure a substantial retirement fund. His choice to skip the final contracted season is thus not surprising, though questions remain regarding any buyout or payback. Despite this, the 35-year-old remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour membership would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty. Alternatively, the PGA Tour still enforces a one-year suspension for his last LIV appearance, though the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly relaxed. Why be vengeful when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the more dominant PGA Tour? This crucial question appears partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin its player ranks.