Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly settled amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives on the highest level of competition – something he found limited in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries putting his career in doubt and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though some questions remain – did he have to buy out his contract or refund part of his guaranteed payout? Will he remain the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation abounds about which tours Koepka will appear on next. DP World Tour membership would be immediate, possibly incurring a penalty. On the PGA Tour, he faces a one-year suspension stemming from his last LIV event, which replaced the previous lifetime ban with a softened policy under former commissioner Jay Monahan. Allowing Koepka’s return benefits the PGA Tour, especially with a prominent name back. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new, condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-field events – an ideal time for his comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome another marquee player.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll likely play the minimum and the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter more prestigious tournaments, he’d play those too.\” There’s also speculation the board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee might be lenient, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka. A fan survey by \”Bunkered\” magazine found majority support for Koepka’s return.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will play in LIV Golf in 2026. His Crushers team, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, proceeds unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at 62. The three-time major winner from Fiji uses his