Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting Feb 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil announced it was an amicable agreement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, which he somewhat lacked on LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 primarily due to injury concerns and to secure a solid retirement income. His skipping the final contract year raises questions about possible buyouts or partial paybacks. It is also unclear if the 35-year-old stays the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation looms about which tours Koepka will play on next. He would be immediately eligible on the DP World Tour, perhaps with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour, where he’d face a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans drastically. Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the longer-established tour? This question seems partially answered: According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Any suspension would likely end in August. Although the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27-30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour plans a compressed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited, top-line fields. This timing suits Koepka perfectly. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s operator, would welcome a powerful name like his.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He will probably play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or can enter top events, he would play those too.\” There is speculation that a five-time major winner might get leniency in Ponte Vedra Beach, where Tiger Woods leads the competition committee alongside player directors and board members — all reportedly backing Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate play. A \”Bunkered\” magazine poll, though non-representative, indicates most fans agree.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete 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 general contract extension. What agreements lie behind the scenes to retain LIV’s currently most marketable player after Koepka’s departure is open to speculation.
Vijay Singh back on PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old three-time major