Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He moved to the Saudi-backed league mainly in 2022 fearing his career might soon end due to injuries and to secure a substantial retirement fund. Given that, his skipping the final contract year is not surprising, though questions remain: Did he have to pay a buyout or return part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his 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 him immediate playing rights, possibly after a fine? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, following the significant reduction of prior lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan? It seems this crucial question is partially answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he let expire after 2022, aiming to return to the players’ circle.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension. What agreements lie behind the scenes to retain the league’s prominent and marketable star after Koepka’s departure remains to be seen.
Vijay Singh, at 62, Returns to PGA Tour
In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour, benefiting from an exemption based on his position on the career money list. The three-time major winner from Fiji debuts this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has previously played on the PGA Tour Champions, securing five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL Faces Low TV Ratings in Second Season
The Tomorrow’s Golf League struggles with poor TV ratings in its second season without Tiger Woods. The opening day on ABC attracted just 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in the premiere season. The second match, Atlanta vs. The Bay, drew merely 354,000 viewers. The league’s creators—Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley—face the challenge of finding a new star to sustain interest. Woods’ impact remains unmatched, and McIlroy or Tom Kim have yet to fill that role.
Charley Hull to Launch Own YouTube Channel