Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was reportedly a friendly agreement according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. However, Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure a lucrative retirement fund, his choice to skip the final contracted season raises questions: Did he have to buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed payout? Will he remain an owner of LIV’s Smash GC team, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next play. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly for a penalty fee, or the PGA Tour, where he still faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were significantly eased. It seems vengeance is not favored, and high-profile LIV returnees benefit the PGA Tour, already holding the upper hand. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that was not extended after 2022.
An eventual suspension would lapse in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s conclusion at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million events with limited, top-ranked fields—the perfect re-entry time, fitting his competitive style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors, likely behind the new premier league, would appreciate adding another big name.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least a minimum, maybe the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets into top events, he’ll play those, too.\” Possibly, the PGA Tour might be lenient given his status, with decision power shared between the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee—following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately. This view also aligns with the majority of fans, according to an informal poll by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain LIV’s most marketable player following Koepka’s exit. More updates are expected soon.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprising move: