Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV 2026 start, Vijay Singh makes comeback, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found somewhat lacking in LIV. He initially joined LIV in 2022 as he feared his career was ending due to injuries and aimed to secure his retirement funds. Thus, skipping his last contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his continuing ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after lifetime bans were softened. Why hold grudges if LIV returnees, especially prominent ones, ultimately strengthen the PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership suspended after 2022, aiming for reinstatement among players.
Koepka Reapplies for PGA Tour Membership
Potentially, his suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. He would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressing about two dozen $20 million events featuring limited elite fields — perfect timing for Koepka’s comeback. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would surely welcome such a marquee player.
Jon Rahm recently suggested in the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka would return to the PGA Tour, probably playing a minimum schedule including his favorite big tournaments. Player directors, alongside Tiger Woods chaired competition committee, and Rory McIlroy’s recommendation support lifting his ban. Fan sentiment also favors Koepka’s return, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri continues unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a contract extension, fueling speculation on arrangements behind the scenes to retain LIV’s top marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh, Charley Hull and More Updates
At 62, Vijay Singh is making a surprise PGA Tour return, using a career earnings exemption to play this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The three-time major winner previously found success on the PGA Tour Champions. The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), lacking Tiger Woods, faces declining TV ratings, prompting the need for fresh attractions. Charley Hull plans to launch her own YouTube channel this