First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitive type who gets motivated and fired up only by top-level competition, which was somewhat limited at LIV. In 2022, he mostly joined LIV due to injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a solid retirement fund. So giving up the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts or partial paybacks. Koepka, 35, remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
There is speculation about which tours Koepka will join next. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, probably paying a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension imposed after his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of earlier lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka filed last Friday a formal application to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming to be reinstated as a player.
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