Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start for 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up by top-level competition, something he found limited in LIV. He had switched to the Saudi-based league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns about the end of his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contractually required season is not surprising, although questions remain about possible buyouts or return of guaranteed pay. He remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after life bans were softened. This key question seems partly answered as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka submitted a formal application to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday.
Koepka Files Membership Reinstatement Preparing PGA Tour Return
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule condensed to around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields — a perfect reentry moment suiting Koepka’s style. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome adding such a high-profile name.
Jon Rahm recently opined on the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka might take some time but would return to the PGA Tour, likely playing at least the minimum with a focus on big tournaments. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, which holds sway on suspensions, might well grant an exception to the five-time major champion. Rory McIlroy also recommended allowing Koepka back immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will remain unchanged for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the league’s top marketable star following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh from Fiji announced his return to the PGA Tour at age 62. Leveraging his career money list exemption, Singh