First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, found little motivation at LIV. In 2022, he primarily joined LIV due to career-threatening injuries and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Therefore, his decision to forgo the last contractually required season is unsurprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, which has named Talor Gooch as its new captain?
Speculations are rampant about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He would be immediately eligible to play on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, following a significant mitigation of the lifetime bans previously imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the more dominant Tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not renewed after 2022 and to be reinstated as a player.