Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026; Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62; Charley Hull launches YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. The official statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil described this as an amicable agreement. However, Koepka is a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. The decision not to fulfill the last contractual season raises questions if he had to buy out or repay part of the guaranteed money. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is growing about where Koepka will appear next—on the DP World Tour with immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension since his last LIV event. The lifetime bans imposed by former PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly reduced. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and be reinstated into the players’ circle.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s compressed new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier player fields—a perfect time for his comeback. This would also please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s operators.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and likely the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gains entry to high-profile events, he would play those as well.\” It is possible Koepka will get leniency regarding his suspension, influenced by the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to let Koepka compete again. In a non-representative fan survey by ‘Bunkered,’ a majority appeared supportive of Koepka’s return.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will play in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team ‘Crushers’ with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will continue unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most prominent and marketable player following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA