Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known for his competitive spirit in high-level contests, found limited motivation in LIV Golf. His move to Saudi Arabia in 2022 was partly due to injury concerns and securing his retirement funds. Thus, skipping the final contracted season isn’t surprising, though questions remain about buyouts or wage returns. Koepka remains an owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation centers on which tour Koepka will next appear: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility may come at a penalty; or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension post-LIV, softened from previous lifetime bans. Why be vindictive when LIV returnees, especially high-profile ones, benefit the dominant PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA membership and rejoin the player ranks.
DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team, the Crushers, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, continues into its fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the league’s current most marketable player after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at 62. The Fijian star leverages an exemption from the career money list and plays this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh had been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL faces weak TV ratings in second season start
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) struggles with low viewership without Tiger Woods, who had guaranteed top ratings in season one. The opening day of season two on ABC drew only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 the previous year on ESPN. The second match, Atlanta vs. The Bay, saw just 354,000 viewers. The producers—Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley—need a new star to boost excitement, as Woods remains unmatched and McIlroy is not filling that role.
Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s example, with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull will start her own YouTube channel this summer. The 29-year-old English Mal