First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He originally moved to LIV in 2022 due to injury-related career concerns and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His skipping the last contracted season raises questions: did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC which named Talor Gooch new captain?
Speculations now arise on which fairways Koepka will appear. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately—likely with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? This crucial question seems partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, not extended after 2022, and to rejoin the player pool.