First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a mutual, amicable agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he lacked somewhat in LIV. He had switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and wanting a substantial retirement payout. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or guarantees repayments. At 35, he remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations arise where Koepka will play next: on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible (possibly with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation, after life bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when LIV returnees strengthen the already dominant PGA Tour? ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, previously not renewed after 2022.
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