Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf League season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This friendly agreement was stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, which he found limited in LIV. He originally joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns and sought a solid retirement fund. His opting out of the final contract year isn’t surprising, although questions remain about contract buyouts and his ownership of LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows about which fairways Koepka will appear on next—DP World Tour, where he would be eligible to play, possibly paying a penalty; or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, softened from a lifetime ban. Why hold grudges when LIV returnees benefit the established Tours? According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which he had not renewed after 2022.
View this post on Instagram
The suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 season ending with the Tour Championship from August 27–30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour launches a revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited fields—an ideal comeback timing. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome a marquee name like Koepka. Jon Rahm recently told the ‘Subpar’ podcast that Koepka likely will return, playing at least a minimum schedule including big events he enjoys. The PGA Tour’s board, players’ committee, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold discretion over suspensions and reportedly favor Koepka’s return, supported by Rory McIlroy and fan sentiment per a non-representative Bunkered poll.
View this post on Instagram
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed that he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains unchanged going into the fifth season. Interestingly, no general contract extension from DeChambeau has been announced, fueling speculation on behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain LIV’s most marketable star following Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three