Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh.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 competing circuit but needs more time for his family, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, Koepka’s motivation was limited within LIV. In 2022, he joined LIV largely because he feared his career was ending due to injuries and wanted a secure financial future. His decision not to play the final contracted season raises questions about whether he had to repay part of his guaranteed salary and if he will remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation grows on which fairways Koepka will appear next. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible, possibly facing a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he would serve a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, after previous lifetime bans were softened? Returning LIV players, especially prominent ones like Koepka, would benefit the PGA Tour. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming for player reinstatement.
Any suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour launches its new schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited fields and top players—a perfect moment for his return. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome a big name like Koepka.
Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast, \”He might need some time, but I believe he’ll return to the PGA Tour. He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets to play the high-profile events, he would participate.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods have influence over the suspension, with Rory McIlroy recommending letting Koepka play again. A majority of fans also support this, according to a non-representative survey by ‘Bunkered’ magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, remains unchanged entering the fifth season. However, DeChambeau hasn’t announced a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation behind the scenes, especially after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major champion Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. Representing Fiji’s Viti Levu island, Singh utilizes an exemption from his career money