Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out for the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 fearing an early career end due to injury, he sought to secure his retirement fund. Skipping the final contracted season is thus unsurprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out his contract? Does he remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, a ban eased from a previous lifetime suspension by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when every LIV returning star benefits the PGA Tour? This key question seems partly answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, ceased after 2022, seeking player circle reinstatement.
An eventual ban would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship’s season end from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with elite limited fields — perfect timing for his comeback. This would also please investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, believed to underlie the new top league.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm said recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, focusing on big tournaments he enjoys. If he qualifies or is invited to top-tier events, he’ll compete.\” Plus, a five-time major winner might get leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach; besides the board, player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say on suspensions, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to reinstate Koepka immediately. Fans seem to agree, per a non-representative ‘Bunkered’ poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged entering its fifth season. Interestingly, no general contract extension was announced. Negotiations behind the scenes likely aim to retain LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka’s exit — further speculation forthcoming.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour, using an exemption based on his career earnings rank, starting this week at the Sony Open