First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh is ready to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he lacked in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury-related career concerns and wanted to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contract year is not surprising, though questions remain whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rampant about where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour where he would be eligible immediately, probably for a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after lifelong bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why hold grudges when any high-profile LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour, which holds the stronger cards? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which expired post-2022, and to be reinstated into the player pool.