Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes a surprising PGA Tour comeback at 62, and Charley Hull plans a YouTube debut. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected with the rival circuit but is taking more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competitive settings, was less motivated by LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure substantial retirement earnings. His waiver of the last contractual season raises questions: Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does he still own his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation abounds on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after the former commissioner Jay Monahan significantly softened lifetime bans. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming for reinstatement.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. That timing sets Koepka up for eligibility in 2027 with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule of about two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, elite fields — ideal for Koepka’s comeback. Such a prominent name would also appeal to the investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely hosting the new top league.
\”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 probably play at least the minimum, why not the events he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or receives invitations for top tournaments, he’ll play those too.\” There is speculation that the five-time major champion might get leniency regarding suspension from the PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods — with Rory McIlroy endorsing Koepka’s immediate return. According to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered,\” a fan majority supports Koepka’s reinstatement.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf’s 2026 season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will remain unchanged for the fifth season. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain one of LIV’s most marketable players following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh, aged