First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to play again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. The decision was made amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns and to secure a strong retirement fund. Given that, his decision not to play the final contracted season isn’t surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or repayment of guarantees. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound regarding which tours Koepka will join next. The DP World Tour immediately grants him playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance. This suspension was considerably softened from an originally lifetime ban imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. It makes no sense to be vengeful when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, plays into the hands of the established tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended beyond 2022.