Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected with the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets motivated and fired up for contests at the highest level, which LIV offered less. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure solid retirement income for his personal pension fund, so skipping the last contract year is not surprising, although questions remain about buyouts or paybacks. He remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now led by new captain Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next — the DP World Tour, where he would have immediate eligibility likely after paying a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were reduced. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee benefits the long-dominant PGA Tour? This question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 PGA Tour Championship (August 27-30). Koepka would then be eligible for the compressed 2027 PGA Tour schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million events with limited, elite fields — the ideal moment for his comeback. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome such a prominent name.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the events he likes, especially the majors. If he qualifies or gets into high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps PGA Tour officials, including the players’ directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, may soften his suspension, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau 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 enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s currently most marketable star following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major champion from Fiji uses an exemption based on his career earnings ranking and plans to play the Sony Open in Hawaii