First start already at the Farmers Insurance Open, Vijay Singh aiming 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives at the highest level, something he only partially experienced on LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain if he had to buy out of his contract or refund part of the guaranteed salary. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will compete next. Possibly the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, perhaps with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the stronger PGA Tour? This major question seems partly answered. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, and be reinstated as a player.