First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka, a fierce competitor, thrives on high-level contests — which he only begrudgingly found in LIV after joining in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure financial stability for retirement. Speculation abounds whether Koepka had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Most discussions focus on which tour Koepka will appear on next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible (likely with a fine), or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV start. The lifetime bans formerly imposed have been significantly softened. Why retaliate when every LIV returnee naturally benefits the PGA Tour? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking reinstatement among tour players.
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