Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026, Vijay Singh makes PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion intends to stay connected to the competing circuit but needs more family time. This was a mutual amicable agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitor who thrives at the highest levels, has been less motivated in LIV events, especially since he originally joined in 2022 mainly to secure his retirement fund due to injury concerns. Questions remain whether he had to buy out of his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary. However, he remains the owner of the LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation abounds about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly subject to a penalty, or he might return to the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after previously lifetime bans were significantly softened. Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a star, benefits the established tour that now holds more power? This question has a partial answer: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022.
A possible suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season’s Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. Koepka would then be eligible to play in 2027, when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule with nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments featuring limited, top-ranked fields. This would be an ideal moment for a comeback, fitting Koepka’s competitive nature. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the new top league’s operators, would welcome another prominent name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” recently said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies for or is invited to high-profile events, he would play those too.\” It is also possible the PGA Tour could be lenient with a five-time major winner, as player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have influence over suspensions. Rory McIlroy supports Koepka’s immediate return. Polls suggest a fan majority shares this view according to \”Bunkered\” magazine’s informal survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, BDC did not announce a broad contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain LIV’s highest profile and marketable player after Koepka’s departure.