Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his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 reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is a competitor who gets highly motivated by top-level competition, which he found somewhat lacking at LIV. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 anticipating an early career end due to injuries and to secure a solid retirement fund, so skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain about specifics such as buyouts or salary returns. It also remains to be seen if the 35-year-old stays owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is growing about which fairways Koepka will play next. Immediate eligibility on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV start, after previously lifelong bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why be vindictive when any prominent LIV returnee ultimately benefits the more dominant PGA Tour? This key question seems partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to return to the player pool.
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Any suspension would expire in August, which coincides with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible in 2027, when PGA Tour plans to introduce a new schedule compressed to about two dozen $20-million events with limited fields. It’s the perfect timing for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s preferences, and investors at PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another big-name player in their top league.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, especially the big ones. If he then qualifies for or gets invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour might show leniency to a five-time major winner; decisions on suspensions involve the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who, along with Rory McIlroy, supports Koepka’s reinstatement. A majority of fans also agree, according to an informal poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League