First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for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. However, Koepka is known as a competitive player who gets truly motivated only at the highest levels of competition, something he found limited in LIV. Originally, in 2022, he switched to LIV mainly because of injuries threatening to end his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Hence, his opting out of the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. Also, it is unclear if the 35-year-old still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations are rife about where Koepka will compete next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible to play—possibly with a penalty fee? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan significantly softened the lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a prominent one, actually benefits the more powerful PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a member of the playing field.