Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, something he experienced only partially in LIV. Initially, he joined LIV in 2022 mainly because he feared his career might end due to injury and wanted a solid retirement fund. Thus, his forgoing of the final contracted season isn’t surprising, though questions remain, such as whether he had to pay back part of his guaranteed fee and if he will remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch the new captain.
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next — the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly for a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, with previous lifetime bans softened? It seems this question partially answers itself. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, and to rejoin the players’ circle.
Koepka Prepares for PGA Tour Return
Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027, when the PGA Tour rolls out its new schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields — the perfect timing for his comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely operator of this new top-tier league, would welcome such a marquee name.
Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence on the podcast “Subpar” that Koepka will return to the PGA Tour. “He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he qualifies or can enter top-level events, he’ll play those too.” The suspension vote involves the board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who reportedly follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return. Fan polls by “Bunkered” also show majority support for his comeback.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will participate in LIV Golf in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will continue into the fifth season unchanged. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, raising speculation about negotiations behind the scenes to prevent losing LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka.