First start at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but seeks more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor motivated by the highest levels of competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily because of injury concerns and to secure retirement earnings. Questions remain about his contract buyout and continued ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation rises about where Koepka will compete next: on the DP World Tour immediately eligible, perhaps with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension that was softened from a lifetime ban. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after non-renewal in 2022.
A possible suspension would end in August 2026, coinciding with the PGA Tour Championship, allowing Koepka to be eligible for 2027 under the new compressed schedule with limited top-tier fields—a perfect time for his return. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence Koepka would return and participate in his preferred big events. The PGA Tour’s returning member program allowed certain LIV players to rejoin without suspension, considering Koepka’s recent major victories.
Update: Koepka was reinstated Monday evening and will start at the Farmers Insurance Open in January and later the WM Phoenix Open. The PGA Tour’s special rule applies to major and Players winners from the last three years and is a one-time chance, per CEO Brian Rolapp. Koepka must donate $5 million to the PGA Tour charity, is excluded from the 2026 FedEx Cup bonuses, and barred from capital programs for five years.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Return for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in LIV Golf’s 2026 season with his Crushers team. No general contract extension was announced, leading to speculation about internal negotiations.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
At 62, three-time major winner Vijay Singh uses a career money exemption to return to the PGA Tour, starting this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has previously succeeded in PGA Tour Champions events, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Decline in Season Two Start
The Tomorrow’s Golf League struggles without Tiger Woods, with lower TV ratings on ABC compared to last season’s premiere on ESPN. The league seeks a new star to regain momentum as Woods remains unmatched as an audience draw.
Charley Hull Launching YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s success on YouTube with millions of subscribers, Charley Hull announced plans to start her own channel called ‘The Sweet Spot’ this summer, sharing personality and golf content. She revealed this on the YouTube