Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has reportedly opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but seeks more family time. This was a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives at the highest level, something the LIV Tour has provided limited motivation for. He joined LIV in 2022 mostly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a handsome retirement fund. Hence, skipping the final contract year isn’t surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts and whether he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will appear next—on the DP World Tour where he could play immediately, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV participation. The lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been softened, benefiting prominent LIV returnees and the established tours. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership and rejoin the playing field.
An eventual suspension expires in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. However, Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 PGA Tour season, which is set to introduce a condensed schedule with about two dozen $20 million events and limited fields featuring elite players. This timing suits Koepka’s comeback plans and would appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new flagship league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or is invited to premier events, he’d participate.\” It’s possible the PGA Tour might be lenient with Koepka, considering the player board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee’s influence, and Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately. A fan poll by \”Bunkered\” supports this perspective.
DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced an overall contract extension, raising speculation about negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour. The three-time major champion from Fiji uses an exemption due to his career earnings ranking and will tee off this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has been competing on the PGA