Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf League start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, and Charley Hull is soon launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
It was expected: Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a competitive type who is motivated by high-level competition, was less engaged in LIV. Having switched in 2022 partly due to injury concerns and to secure a good retirement fund, his skipping the final contractual season raises questions: Did he pay a buyout or return part of his guaranteed fee? Does he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible to play immediately, possibly facing a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he’d serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation, following the easing of lifetime bans by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? This key question seems partly answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming for reinstatement to the playing field.
Any potential suspension would expire in August, right as the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, which introduces a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-tier fields—an ideal moment for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would benefit from another star name.
“He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,” Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. “He’ll probably at least play the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or can compete in high-profile events, he’d play those too.” Possibly, the PGA Tour lockout committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors might overlook the suspension for a five-time major champion, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately. A majority of fans may agree, as per a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team—Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri—will remain intact going into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation on behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable player following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old three-time major winner Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour. Utilizing his career earnings exemption, the