First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to give it another go, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of 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 reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeill’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, which he only limitedly found in LIV Golf. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly because injury threatened his career’s end and he sought to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, his decision to skip the final contracted season is not surprising, although questions remain about buyout terms or repayment of guaranteed money. Is Koepka still an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as new captain?
The main speculation focuses on where Koepka will play next. On the DP World Tour, where he could be immediately eligible—likely with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year ban would apply since his last LIV event, after the former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans to less severe penalties? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star, ultimately benefits the PGA Tour? This key 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 renewed post-2022, aiming to rejoin the playing group.