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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he lacked somewhat in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career early and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, it is not surprising he forgoes the last contractually obligated season, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out? Repay part of the guaranteed money? Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations arise about where Koepka will next play. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible—possibly after a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans significantly? Why be vindictive when each LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the longer-leveraged tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended post-2022, and rejoin the player ranks.