Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, and Charley Hull plans a YouTube debut. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to official LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he has only partly found in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and to secure a comfortable retirement fund. Skipping the final contracted year is not surprising, though questions remain about contractual buyouts or repayments, and whether Koepka retains ownership of his LIV team, Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about where Koepka will next compete — on the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, potentially with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after Jay Monahan reduced lifelong bans? Why be vengeful when every LIV returnee advantages the established tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reinstate his PGA Tour membership, which ceased after 2022.
Koepka’s Membership Reapplication Prepares PGA Tour Comeback
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship Aug 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million events with limited top-ranked fields—ideal timing for his return. This is likely welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the premier league.
Jon Rahm recently noted on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka might take time but will return, probably playing a minimum schedule and favored big events. He might receive leniency from the PGA’s player directors and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement to reinstate him. Fan sentiment appears majority in favor according to \”Bunkered\” magazine’s informal poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf 2026 Season Participation
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League 2026 season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will continue into the fifth season. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about LIV’s internal arrangements post-Koepka.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at 62, using an exemption for career money list standing. Singh, from Fiji’s Viti Levu, will start at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. He has claimed five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship.