First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected: Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. But Koepka is a competitive type who gets fired up only by high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury-related career doubts and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his waiver of the final contracted playing year is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out of his contract or return part of the guaranteed fee? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation mainly centers on where Koepka will next play. DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty fee, or PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans drastically. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the tour that holds more leverage? This key question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that expired after 2022 and rejoin the player ranks.