Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes a comeback, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, officially staying connected to the competing circuit but wanting more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil confirmed the mutual agreement. Koepka, a five-time major winner, is known for thriving in top-level competition, which LIV hasn’t fully provided. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly for financial security due to injuries jeopardizing his career. Questions remain about whether he had to return part of his guaranteed money or if he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will compete next—immediately eligible for the DP World Tour likely with a penalty or aiming to return to the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after lifetime bans were softened. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership after non-renewal in 2022.
His suspension could end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship. For 2027, with a new PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events and limited fields, Koepka’s comeback plan aligns perfectly. Such a return would also appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently said on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka will likely return to the PGA Tour, playing minimum events initially, particularly majors and tournaments he prefers. Influential voices including Rory McIlroy recommend allowing Koepka to play, and fan sentiment concurs per a Bunkered survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in LIV Golf’s 2026 season, with his Crushers team including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri intact for their fifth season. Notably, no overall contract extension was announced, prompting speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is making a PGA Tour comeback at age 62. Utilizing an exemption based on his career money ranking, Singh will compete at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Previously, he played on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Drop in Season Two
Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) started its second season with significantly lower TV ratings. Without Tiger Woods, who drove ratings in season one, ABC’s season two opener drew only 646,000 viewers compared to 919,000 on ESPN previously. The second match saw interest wane further to 354,000 viewers. TGL founders Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley face challenges finding a new star to ignite fan excitement, as Woods remains unmatched in drawing attention.