First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh back on the PGA Tour, and Charley Hull launching a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League season 2026, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, which he only somewhat found in LIV. He had joined LIV in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was nearing its end due to injuries and wanted to secure a substantial retirement fund. His skipping the final contract year is therefore not surprising, though questions remain about whether he had to buy out or return part of the guaranteed money. Does he remain an owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation swirls about which fairways Koepka will next be seen on. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately—possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension from his last LIV event after former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced the lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the Tour, which has the upper hand? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.