Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially deregistered for the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains linked to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitor who thrives on high-level challenges, showed limited motivation with LIV. He joined in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and the prospect of securing a substantial retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is understandable, though questions remain about any financial settlements and whether he retains ownership of his LIV team, Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next—DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible now (possibly with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were eased. The key question seems partially answered: According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership which was not extended after 2022.
Koepka Applies for Membership: Preparing PGA Tour Return
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the season-ending Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces its new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited top-ranked fields—an ideal comeback scenario. This would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently commented on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might need time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimum number of events focusing on the majors. If qualified for high-profile tournaments, he could participate there as well. The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over the suspension, with Rory McIlroy’s recommendation favoring Koepka’s immediate return. A majority of fans reportedly agree, based on a non-representative survey by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
Other Golf News Highlights
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League, keeping his Crushers team intact. Vijay Singh, at 62, is making a surprising return to the PGA Tour utilizing his career earnings exemption, starting at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Meanwhile, the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) struggles with viewership in its second season without Tiger Woods, highlighting the challenge of maintaining momentum.
Charley Hull plans to launch her own YouTube channel this summer, inspired by DeChambeau’s success, titled \”The Sweet Spot.\” Jason Day cryptically announced \”I’ve quit\” on Instagram, sparking speculation he may focus full-time on the \”The Lads\” YouTube channel rather than continuing regular tournament play.
Leadership Changes and Legends
The Ladies European Tour (LET