First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back in action, Charley Hull launching on YouTube soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022, anticipating an early career end due to injuries and looking to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his continued ownership of LIV team Smash GC, which recently named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about Koepka’s future tournament appearances: DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction in the lifetime bans originally imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. This now seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, and to be reinstated as a player.
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