Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, and Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s friendly agreement statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, something he had limited motivation for in LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund. Questions remain about whether he had to buy out or return part of his guaranteed fee and whether he remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation surrounds which fairways Koepka will next appear on. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event. The lifetime bans from former Commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly reduced. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees, especially prominent ones, benefit the established tours? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he did not renew after 2022, aiming to rejoin the players’ group.
If the suspension ends in August, despite the 2026 season finishing with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 season under PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This timing suits Koepka’s comeback style and would appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely backers of the new top league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the \”Subpar\” podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least minimally and why not play the tournaments he likes—the big ones. If he qualifies or gets invitations to prominent events, he would play those too.\” There is speculation whether the five-time major champion might be granted leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach. The competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately, might influence this. According to ‘Bunkered’ magazine’s non-representative survey, a majority of fans support Koepka’s return.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed his 2026 LIV Golf League participation. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain the currently most prominent and marketable LIV player after Koepka’s decision.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at 62 years old. The three-time major winner from