Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of 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 family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level sportscraft, something he showed limited motivation for in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 as injuries led him to consider ending his career soon and to secure a solid retirement fund. Given this, skipping the last contractual season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, likely involving a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after previously lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Why be vengeful when every high-profile LIV returnee plays into the hands of the league holding the stronger cards? This crucial question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reentry to the playing group.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter its fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension. Rumors swirl about behind-the-scenes arrangements made to avoid losing the league’s most marketable and prominent active player after Koepka. More details expected soon.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
A surprising move: Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major winner from Fiji uses an exemption based on his career money list standing and will play this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh had mainly competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Slump in Second Season Start
A weak start for the Tomorrow’s Golf League without Tiger Woods, at least regarding TV ratings. The novelty effect naturally faded in season two, with the season opener on ABC drawing only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in the first season. The second match between Atlanta and The Bay attracted merely 354,000 viewers. It’s high time for the GOAT to reengage, whose appearances drove top ratings last season. Without Woods, the high-tech simulator event struggles to maintain momentum despite social media hype. The TGL founders –