Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes PGA Tour return at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner aims to stay connected to the rival circuit but seeks more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was a friendly agreement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in top-level competition, something LIV didn’t fully provide. He initially joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and to secure substantial retirement compensation. Questions remain if Koepka had to buy out part of his guaranteed salary or if he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, led now by Talor Gooch.
Speculation surrounds where Koepka will next compete. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly facing a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV participation remains, given prior life bans have been softened. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally reapplied last Friday to reinstate his 2022-lapsed PGA Tour membership and regain tour player status.
An August expiration of his PGA suspension coincides with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship (Aug 27-30). Koepka would be eligible for the 2027 PGA Tour season, which plans to feature about two dozen $20-million events with limited elite fields — an ideal reentry and enticing to investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, the likely operator of this new top-tier league.
Jon Rahm recently expressed on the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka \”might need time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” predicting selective play of major tournaments. Influential tour directors, including Tiger Woods on the competition committee, and player representatives may grant leniency on his suspension, aligning with Rory McIlroy’s call for Koepka’s immediate reinstatement. A majority of fans also support this, according to Bunkered magazine’s informal poll.
DeChambeau Confirmed for LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, enters its fifth season intact. Notably, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about undisclosed negotiations behind the scenes to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh from Fiji is set to return to the PGA Tour using his career money list exemption. At age 62, he will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has been active on the PGA Tour Champions, earning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL TV Ratings Dip in Season Two Without Tiger Woods
The second season of Tomorrow’s Golf League faces challenges with TV