First start at Farmers, Vijay Singh returns, and Charley Hull is launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition but found limited motivation in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 largely due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund. His decision not to play the final contractual season raises questions: did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does he remain an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour where he is eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty, or PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, though lifetime bans have been eased. This critical question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
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