First start already at Farmers, Vijay Singh is back at it, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
Expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, which he found limited in LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a solid retirement fund. His skipping the last contract year isn’t surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract or reimburse part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculations abound regarding which tours Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, likely against a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? Why be vindictive, when every high-profile LIV returnee helps the stronger tour? This question seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to rejoin the player ranks.