First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh ready to compete again, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level contests, something he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022, anticipating an early career end due to injury and seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping his last contracted season is no surprise, though questions remain about possible buyouts or partial repayment of his guaranteed salary. It also remains unclear if the 35-year-old remains an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, likely with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after lifetime bans issued by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent name, benefits the already dominant Tour? This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.