First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for a comeback, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for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. LIV CEO Scott McNeil said this was a friendly agreement. But Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and the desire for a secure retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about any buyout or repayment. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty fee, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, softened from a prior lifetime ban. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.
Update: Koepka is now immediately eligible for the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. This was enabled by the new \”Returning Member Program\” allowing select LIV players to rejoin without suspension, considering Koepka’s record and his 2023 PGA Championship win. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated this is a one-time opportunity ending February 2, not setting precedent. Koepka must give $5 million to the PGA Tour charity, sits out 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and is excluded from the PGA Tour Enterprises capital program for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed participation in LIV Golf’s 2026 season with Crushers teammates Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri. However, no contract extension was announced, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, triple major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62 via a career money list exemption, starting this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL Faces Declining TV Ratings in Season Two
Without Tiger Woods, the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) struggles in TV ratings. The second season’s opener on ABC drew 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in season one’s debut. The second match attracted only 354,000 viewers, highlighting the challenge for TGL to sustain momentum without its star.
Golf stars Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley urgently seek a new “eye catcher