First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, and Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitive type who thrives in top-level sporting challenges, something he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV Golf in 2022 mainly because of injuries threatening his career’s end and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, forgoing his final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about possible buyouts or repayment of guaranteed fees. The 35-year-old also remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds regarding which fairways Koepka will play on next. Will he join the DP World Tour, where he is likely immediately eligible—possibly with a penalty? Or will he return to the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, following a significant softening of the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when any prominent LIV returnee benefits the more powerful tour? This key question now has a partial answer. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.