Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, and Charley Hull is soon launching her own YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited on LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund. It is not surprising he skips the last contracted playing season, though questions remain about financial arrangements and his ownership status of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rampant about where Koepka will next play. On the DP World Tour, where he would be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, following the reduction of lifetime bans originally imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Given that every LIV returnee benefits the established Tour, this question partly answers itself. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new compressed schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, highly competitive fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly and would appeal to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely operators of the new top league, welcoming a star name.
Jon Rahm recently stated on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour. He probably will at least play the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones? If he then qualifies for top events or gains entry, he’ll play those too.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say on suspension matters, and Rory McIlroy has recommended letting Koepka play immediately. A majority of fans also share this view, according to a non-representative survey by the magazine ‘Bunkered’.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remain unchanged for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain the LIV league’s current most prominent and marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner