First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for another run, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competition, which he experienced only to a limited extent at LIV. He switched to LIV primarily in 2022, fearing an early career end due to injuries and aiming to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted playing season is not surprising, though questions linger: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation mainly revolves around which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would immediately grant him playing rights—presumably with a penalty fee—or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after previous lifetime bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one, benefits the already stronger tour? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming for reinstatement.