Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs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, a competitive type who thrives in high-level competition, has had limited motivation with LIV. He had joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly because he feared injuries might end his career prematurely and wanted to secure a hefty retirement fund. Given this, his waiving of the final contractual season is unsurprising, although questions remain about financial buyouts and if he remains the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is growing about where Koepka will appear next—on the DP World Tour, where he would presumably be immediately eligible, perhaps with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following the significant softening of former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a high-profile one like Koepka, benefits the tour that holds the upper hand? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, and rejoin the player ranks.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. However, Koepka would be eligible to compete in 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields—a prime time for Koepka’s return, suiting his style. This move would surely please investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s operators, who would welcome another star name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, especially tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” It is also possible that the PGA Tour might be lenient on a five-time major winner; alongside the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have a say on suspension matters, reportedly following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return. A majority of fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remains unchanged going into the fifth season. Notably, DeChambeau did not announce