First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh eager for another run, 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competition, something that was limited at LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns threatening his career and wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Thus, his skip of the final contract year is not surprising, but questions remain: Did he have to buy out or refund part of his guaranteed purse? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already named Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations are rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour he would be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty payment? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? Why hold grudges when every prominent LIV returnee plays into the hands of the stronger PGA Tour? This crucial question seems partly answered now. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been extended after 2022, thus seeking reinstatement among the players.