Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull plans YouTube debut. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. However, Koepka is a competitor who thrives in high-level contests, something he experienced only partially in LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly because he thought his career might be ending due to injury and wanted a solid retirement fund. Therefore, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions linger. Did he buy out his contract or return part of the guaranteed money? Will he remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain?
The bigger question is where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate playing rights, perhaps after a penalty payment? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, following the relaxation of the former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans? Why be vindictive when any LIV returnee, especially a big name, benefits the more powerful Tour. This seems partly answered now. According to ESPN reporter Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August. The 2026 season also ends then with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, but Koepka would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring around two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited and top-tier fields – a perfect comeback timing for Koepka. This move would also be welcomed by PGA Tour Enterprises investors as a marquee name.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” Jon Rahm said recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. “He will likely play at least the minimum and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or earns entry to top events, he would play them.” Maybe the PGA Tour will be lenient with the suspension, influenced by Tiger Woods’ competition committee and Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka back immediately. Most fans seem to agree, according to a non-representative poll by Bunkered.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
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 remains unchanged heading into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation behind the scenes to retain the league’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.