Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf League start in 2026, Vijay Singh is ready for a comeback, and Charley Hull is launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This friendly agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests and motivation, which LIV did not fully provide. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns about ending his career and to secure a good retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain, such as whether he had to buy out or repay part of his guaranteed salary. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is growing regarding where Koepka will next play. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he currently serves a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following the significant reduction of previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? 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, and to be readmitted to the player roster.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s prominent and marketable star after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major winner from Fiji utilizes an exemption due to his career earnings rank and will begin this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, where he won five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League TV ratings dip in second season
The second season of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) struggled in TV ratings without Tiger Woods, whose appearances had consistently delivered strong numbers. The season two opener on ABC was watched by only 646,000 viewers compared to 919,000 on ESPN for the first season’s opener. The second match between Atlanta and The Bay dropped further to 354,000 viewers. The TGL organizers – Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley – face the challenge of finding a new star attraction, a tough task as Woods remains unmatched in drawing audiences. McIlroy and even Woods’ teammate Tom Kim have not matched the GOAT’s appeal.