First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains linked to the competing circuit but needs more time for family, according to a friendly agreement stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, had limited motivation on LIV. He switched in 2022 largely for financial reasons as his career was threatened by injury, making the final contract year waiver unsurprising though questions remain about possible buyouts or repayment of guaranteed money. At 35, he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation intensifies on where Koepka will next tee off. Possibly the DP World Tour where he could play immediately, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance—a ban that has been significantly softened from the previous lifetime suspensions imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Given the advantage to the PGA Tour from prominent LIV returnees, this issue now seems partly resolved. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement.