Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, and Charley Hull is set to launch a YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the LIV circuit but will take more time for family. This was mutually agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitive player who thrives in high-level competition, something LIV golf did not fully provide. He joined LIV primarily in 2022 due to injury concerns that threatened his career and to secure retirement earnings. Considering this, skipping the last contractual season is understandable, though questions arise about contract buyouts or repayments. It is unclear if Koepka remains an owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, as previous lifetime bans were reduced. Why hold grudges when prominent LIV returnees can benefit both the players and the PGA Tour’s leverage? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership for 2027.
Any suspension would expire in August 2026, just after the Tour Championship ends. That timing is perfect for Koepka’s return, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This comeback would also please investors backing the PGA Tour’s new top league.
Jon Rahm recently stated in the podcast \”Subpar\” that Koepka might need time but is likely to return to the PGA Tour, playing at least the minimum and his favorite events. There is speculation that the PGA Tour’s governing bodies, including a Tiger Woods-led competition committee and players’ directors, may overlook the suspension against recommendations from Rory McIlroy, who supports Koepka’s direct return. A non-representative fan survey from Bunkered magazine indicates majority support for this.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will proceed unchanged into the fifth season. However, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain the league’s most marketable player following Koepka’s withdrawal.
Vijay Singh back on PGA Tour at 62
Surprise move: 62-year-old Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour, using an exemption linked to his career money list status. The three-time major winner from Fiji will compete this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously played on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles, including the Senior Players Championship.