First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh still eager, Charley Hull heading to YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, as stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat lacking at LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns, seeking a solid retirement fund. Given this, his choice to skip the final contracted season is understandable, though questions remain about financial settlements and whether he remains owner of LIV’s Smash GC team now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rampant about where Koepka will play next—on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, softened from a lifetime ban. Returning to the PGA Tour benefits both parties, and ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach revealed that last Friday Koepka formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated as a player.