Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf League start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, and Charley Hull announces upcoming YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka, a competitor who thrives on top-level challenges, had a mixed time with LIV and initially joined in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement funds. Questions remain if he had to buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed pay. Notably, he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, recently captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he could be eligible immediately perhaps with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans. An ESPN journalist, Mark Schlabach, reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and return to the player roster.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will stay unchanged for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, raising questions about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain the league’s most marketable star after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour, leveraging an exemption based on his career money list status. He will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL Faces Low TV Ratings in Second Season
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) is struggling with ratings in its second season without Tiger Woods. The season opener on ABC attracted only 646,000 viewers compared to 919,000 on ESPN during the debut season. The second match between Atlanta and The Bay drew just 354,000 viewers. Woods’ presence was pivotal in attracting audiences, and TGL partners including Woods and Rory McIlroy need a new star to maintain momentum.
Charley Hull to Launch YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s lead with over three million YouTube subscribers, Charley Hull announced plans to start her own YouTube channel this summer. The 29-year-old English Malbon ambassador, known for her stylish and flashy outfits, revealed the project during an appearance on ‘The Lads’ YouTube channel with Jason Day. The show will be titled ‘The Sweet Spot.’