First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, which LIV did not fully provide. He had originally joined LIV in 2022 fearing his career was ending due to injury and seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, foregoing the final contracted year was not surprising, though questions remain about contract buyouts and his ownership stake in the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s next playing fields: the DP World Tour where he’d be immediately eligible, possibly after a fine, or the PGA Tour where a one-year suspension still applies from his last LIV appearance, despite reduced lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every returning LIV player benefits the PGA Tour’s stronger leverage? This key question appears partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.