Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed amicably, according to a statement from LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives under high-level competition, something he has found limited in LIV. Koepka joined LIV in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure a solid financial retirement. Therefore, skipping the final contractual playing year is understandable, though questions remain about potential buyouts or salary repayments. Koepka also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, already naming Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation now is rife about which fairways Koepka will play next — possibly the DP World Tour, where he would likely have immediate eligibility, perhaps with a fine, or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, reduced from lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan. After all, allowing high-profile LIV returnees helps the PGA Tour retain leverage. This critical question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership suspended after 2022 and to be reinstated to the player pool.
An eventual suspension would end in August — coincidentally at the close of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027, aligned with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and would also appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the backers of the new top league, welcoming another strong brand name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the podcast ‘Subpar.’ \”He will probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the majors. If he can qualify or be invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” The PGA Tour leadership and player directors, including the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, have say in suspensions and reportedly follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. Fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative ‘Bunkered’ survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf league. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will begin their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain him as LIV’s most marketable active player after Koepka’s departure.