Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf debut for 2026 while Vijay Singh plans a PGA Tour comeback at age 62 and Charley Hull prepares to launch her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka, the five-time major champion, has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, citing a desire to spend more time with his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Known for thriving in top-level competitive arenas, Koepka’s motivation in LIV had been limited. He had originally joined LIV in 2022 primarily as a financial safeguard due to injury concerns ending his career. Questions remain whether he had to buy out part of his guaranteed payout and if he will remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s next competitive fairways—whether on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible likely with some penalty or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV appearance after lifetime bans were softened. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, making a potential return possible.
Koepka’s PGA Tour Membership Application Prepares for Return
Koepka’s suspension potentially ends this August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season with the Tour Championship from August 27-30. He would then be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour plans a condensed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields, an ideal moment for his comeback. This move would also be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors seeking star power.
Jon Rahm recently opined on the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might need time but will return to the PGA Tour, likely playing a minimal schedule focused on major and preferred events. The PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold influence over suspensions and apparently favor Koepka’s reinstatement, backed by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation. A poll by Bunkered magazine suggests fans largely support this return.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV 2026 Participation
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues unchanged into its fifth season. However, DeChambeau has not publicized a contractual extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain the league’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Other Notable Golf Updates
Vijay Singh, at 62, makes a surprise return to the PGA Tour using an exemption for his career earnings rank, starting at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii, having previously won five titles on the PGA Tour Champions.
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) is experiencing viewer declines without Tiger Woods, opening its second season with just 646,000 viewers on ABC compared to 919,000 in