Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil states this was a mutual agreement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement financially. His skip of the final contract year is thus unsurprising, though questions remain: Did he buy out? Repay part of the guaranteed salary? Does he remain owner of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife on which tour Koepka will next play. The DP World Tour would likely welcome him immediately, possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following softened lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. The key question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
Koepka Prepares for PGA Tour Return by Reapplying Membership
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the Tour Championship ending the 2026 season. This timeline positions Koepka optimally for a 2027 comeback, aligned with PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited elite fields, appealing to Koepka and investors at PGA Tour Enterprises. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence, saying Koepka might start with minimum play, then select big events he favors. The PGA Tour’s disciplinary board, players’ directors, and Tiger Woods–led competition committee, plus input from Rory McIlroy who supports Koepka’s immediate return, influence the suspension decision. Fan surveys show major support for Koepka’s return.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Appearance in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged entering its fifth season. Interestingly, he has not announced a new overall contract extension, leaving room for speculation about LIV’s internal agreements after Koepka’s departure.
Other News: Vijay Singh, TGL, Charley Hull and More
At 62, Vijay Singh surprises by returning to the PGA Tour using his career money list exemption, debuting soon at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) faces dwindling TV ratings without Tiger Woods, prompting creators Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley to seek new stars to boost viewership. Charley Hull announces a YouTube channel launching this summer, inspired by DeChambeau’s digital success. Meanwhile, Jason Day cryptically revealed he ‘quit’, sparking speculation about his golf future