First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the course, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests and gets fired up, which he found limited at LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about his career ending and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contractual season is unsurprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or returning part of his guaranteed payment. It’s unclear if the 35-year-old remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following reductions of Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. A vengeful stance seems unlikely since every returning LIV player benefits the longer-armed PGA Tour. This key question may have been partially answered: ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.