Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, 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. The five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which LIV has only partially provided. He originally joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns, aiming to secure his retirement finances. Questions remain about his contract exit and ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations arise over Koepka’s next venues. He could play immediately on the DP World Tour, likely with a penalty, or return to the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension due to his last LIV participation, following softened lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, seeking reinstatement.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters its fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation on behind-the-scenes agreements aimed at retaining LIV’s most marketable star after Koepka.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. Taking advantage of an exemption due to his career earnings rank, Singh will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Previously, he has been playing on the PGA Tour Champions, securing five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Faces Low TV Ratings
The absence of Tiger Woods is severely impacting the Tomorrow’s Golf League’s TV ratings. The season two opener on ABC attracted only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in its inaugural season. The second match between Atlanta and The Bay dropped to 354,000 viewers. Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley are under pressure to find a new star to boost interest, as Woods remains unrivaled in drawing audiences.
Other News: Charley Hull, Jason Day, LET, PGA of America, and The Big Five
Charley Hull is set to launch her own YouTube channel inspired by Bryson DeChambeau’s success. Jason Day’s cryptic Instagram announcement ‘I’ve quit’ sparked speculation about his future, possibly focusing full-time on the ‘The Lads’ YouTube channel. Tom Phillips will become the new CEO of the Ladies European Tour starting April 6, bringing extensive global golf experience. Derek Sprague resigns as PGA of America CEO after one year, prioritizing family responsibilities. A legendary roundtable featuring Bernhard Langer, Sir