Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh makes PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, showed limited motivation in LIV events. Having switched to LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns ending his career, Koepka aimed to secure a substantial retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the last contract year isn’t surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch.
Speculation abounds about where Koepka will next play. He could be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following softened lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. This crucial question appears partially answered: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not renewed after 2022, seeking reentry to the player pool.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team, the Crushers, consisting of Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the league’s most marketable player post-Koepka. More details expected soon.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at 62 years old. The Fijian taps into an exemption based on his career earnings ranking and will make his comeback at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh had been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, where he won five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Struggles with TV Ratings
Without Tiger Woods, the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) has seen weak TV ratings as season two begins. The opening day on ABC drew 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN during the first season’s opener. Interest further dropped to 354,000 viewers for the second match between Atlanta and The Bay. Woods’ presence had been a key ratings driver. TGL founders Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley face the challenge of finding a new star attraction as Woods remains unmatched. McIlroy and Woods’ teammate Tom Kim currently serve more as supporting figures.
Charley Hull Launching Own YouTube Channel
Following the lead of Bryson DeChambeau’s