Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially announced by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on top-level competition, which LIV has offered only to a limited extent. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement fund, it is no surprise he skips his last contracted season, though questions remain about any buyout or guarantees repayment. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations arise about which tour Koepka will appear on next. On the DP World Tour, he would be instantly eligible, possibly paying a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans were softened by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. It makes sense not to be retaliatory since a returning LIV player strengthens the established tour, which holds more influence. Reports from ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach state Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement to the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 on the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20M events with limited, highly competitive fields — the perfect timing for a comeback suited to Koepka’s preferences. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a high-profile name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he enjoys? If he qualifies or is invited to elite events, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say in suspension decisions and likely follow Rory McIlroy’s stance to allow Koepka back easily. Fans also largely support this, per an informal survey by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters its fifth consecutive season unchanged. However, DeChambeau has not announced a contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain LIV’s most marketable active player following Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh, 62, Returns to PGA Tour
Surprise move: Three-time major champion Vijay Singh from Fiji returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. Using a career earnings exemption, Singh will play the Sony Open in Hawaii this week.