First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon launching 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to official statements from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which was somewhat limited in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injuries had cast doubt on continuing his career and he wanted to secure a good retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary. He remains owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. He is 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 pending from his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player benefits the more powerful PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered: According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, to rejoin the players’ ranks.