Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time.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 amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something LIV has offered him only to a limited extent. He switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a substantial pension fund payout. Given this, his skipping the final contracted season is unsurprising, though questions remain about possible payouts or penalties. Interestingly, he remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch now captain.
Speculation centers on which fairways Koepka will appear next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate play, possibly with a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans. Why seek revenge when every LIV returnee benefits the established tours? This question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, not extended after 2022, seeking to rejoin the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would thus be eligible in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited fields—the perfect comeback moment. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play a minimum, starting with his favorite events, the big ones. If qualified or invited, he’d play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA will ease Koepka’s suspension, influenced by Tiger Woods’ competition committee and Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate him immediately—also supported by a majority of fans per \”Bunkered\” magazine’s informal poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, enters its fifth season unchanged. Notably, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation behind the scenes about his agreement, especially after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh, the three-time major winner from Fiji’s Viti Levu, is returning to the PGA Tour at 62. Using an exemption based on his career money list standing, he will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has competed on