Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competition, which he experienced less in LIV. He switched to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted to secure a decent retirement fund. Thus, his skipping the last contracted playing season is not surprising, although questions remain: Did he have to buy out or refund part of his guarantee? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife over which fairways Koepka will appear on next. Possibly the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately—probably with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would have to serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, as the lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan have been significantly reduced. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, serves the interests of the already stronger tour? This key question seems partially answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, to be reinstated as a player member.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will remain unchanged for their fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain the league’s most prominent and marketable active player after Koepka’s departure. More to come on that.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh from Fiji is returning to the PGA Tour at 62. Using an exemption based on his career earnings rank, Singh will compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. He has previously played on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Low TV Ratings for TGL Season Two Opening
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), without Tiger Woods, struggles with TV ratings. The season two opener on ABC attracted only 646,000 viewers, compared to 919,000 on ESPN for the first season’s debut. The second match featuring Atlanta against The Bay dropped further to 354,000 viewers. The league’s creators—Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley—face a challenge in finding