First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns to compete, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner intends to stay connected with the rival circuit but requires more time for family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competition, something LIV seldom provided. He originally moved to LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns about ending his career and securing a solid retirement fund. His waiver of the last contractual playing year is understandable, although questions remain. Did he buy out of the contract or repay part of the guaranteed sum? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculations abound about where Koepka will next appear. On the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after previously life bans imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened? Being vengeful makes little sense when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the already dominant Tour. This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated to the player roster.