Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which kicks off on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain linked to the competing circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated the decision was mutual. Koepka, a fiercely competitive player who thrives on top-level contests, showed limited enthusiasm for LIV events. In 2022, he joined LIV mainly as he feared his career was ending due to injury and sought a financial cushion for retirement. His choice to skip the final contractual season isn’t surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or reimbursement of guaranteed earnings. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will play next. Could it be the DP World Tour, where he’d gain immediate eligibility, possibly facing a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking full playing rights again.
An eventual suspension might end by August, coinciding with the PGA Tour Championship (August 27-30) that concludes the 2026 season. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s restructured schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events and limited elite fields—a perfect comeback timing. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely managing the new top league, would welcome a star of Koepka’s caliber.
Jon Rahm recently said on the Subpar podcast, \”He may need some time, but I think Koepka will return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or gets invites to big events, he’d play those too.\” The PGA Tour’s board, players’ directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee have influence over suspensions; Rory McIlroy supports a direct return for Koepka. Polls by Bunkered magazine show fan majority favors letting Koepka play again.
DeChambeau Confirmed for LIV Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will play the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains intact for the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau hasn’t announced a contract extension, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to keep the league’s most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Makes PGA Tour Return at 62
Surprising move: Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major champion from Fiji uses an exemption based on his career earnings ranking and tees off at the Sony Open in Hawaii this