First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is back, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury threatened his career’s end and he wanted a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will compete next—on the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, despite a significant reduction of the lifetime bans initially imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the established tour? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday, Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ circle.
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