First tee at Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for more, Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitive type, motivated at the highest level mainly by top-tier competition, something he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. In 2022, he primarily switched to the Saudi league because he feared an early end to his career due to injury and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or refund of guaranteed earnings. At 35, he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as its new captain.
Speculation intensifies about where Koepka will compete next: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly paying a penalty? Or PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after the indefinitely suspended bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly relaxed? There is no reason for vindictiveness if returning LIV players, especially high-profile ones, strengthen the already dominant tour. This key question appears partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally requested last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022, to rejoin the playing membership.