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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but wants more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who is motivated and fired up mainly during high-level contests, something he lacked in LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because he feared his career might end due to injuries and wanted a substantial retirement fund. Hence, skipping the last contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or refunds. The 35-year-old still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations are rife about which fairways Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour grants him immediate playing rights — possibly with a penalty — or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following a significant softening of former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans. Since allowing LIV returnees benefits the stronger PGA Tour, this key question now seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended beyond 2022, to be reinstated as a playing member.