Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh makes PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to an amicable agreement, per LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor motivated by high-level sporting challenges, which LIV offered only partially. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury-threatening his career and the opportunity to secure a solid retirement fund. His choice to skip the contractually obligated final season is unsurprising, though questions remain: Did he have to buy out or repay part of the guarantee? Does he remain the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now led by Talor Gooch?
Speculation grows on which tour Koepka will next appear. He is eligible immediately on the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation, following softened lifetime bans by former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a star, benefits the PGA Tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will remain unchanged for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at 62 years old. The Fijian exploits an exemption based on his career money list position and will appear at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has previously won five titles on the PGA Tour Champions, including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Struggles in Season Two
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) is facing weak TV ratings without Tiger Woods. The second season’s opener on ABC attracted only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in the inaugural season. The second match drew just 354,000 viewers. Woods, Rory McIlroy, and partner Mike McCarley need to find a new star attraction as the league struggles to maintain momentum despite technology and social media hype. McIlroy and Woods’ teammate Tom Kim have so far failed to fill Woods’ shoes.
Charley Hull to Launch YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s lead with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull announced she will start her own YouTube channel this summer. The