Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will remain connected to the competing circuit but requires more time for his family. This amicable agreement was confirmed by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, something that LIV has only partially provided. He initially joined LIV in 2022, fearing an early career end due to injuries and aiming to secure a solid retirement fund. His skipping of the final contractual season is thus not surprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out his contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? Will he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would allow immediate eligibility, likely with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, after previous lifetime bans were softened. Why be vindictive when prominent LIV returnees ultimately benefit the dominant tour? This key question seems partly answered as ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after it was not renewed post-2022.
Koepka Prepares for PGA Tour Return with Membership Reapplied
Any ban would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 PGA Tour Championship from August 27-30, making Koepka eligible for 2027. The PGA Tour will introduce a compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields — a perfect comeback timing suited to Koepka’s competitive nature. This move would also please investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely organizers of the new top-level league, who would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll likely at least play the minimum, probably the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for or gets into the top events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour, including the player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may waive penalties for the five-time major winner, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans also support this, as found by the magazine ‘Bunkered’ in a non-representative poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Return in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will continue unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most marketable active player after Koep