Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel – The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was mutually agreed upon. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found less motivating at LIV. He joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to career-ending injuries and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the contractual final season is not surprising, though questions remain about financial settlements and his role as owner of Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
More speculation surrounds which tours Koepka will appear on next. He is immediately eligible for the DP World Tour, possibly facing a fine, or the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension from his last LIV event would apply, as lifetime bans from former commissioner Jay Monahan were softened. Given the advantage LIV returnees give the established PGA Tour, it seems Koepka’s path back is unfolding. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022.
Any suspension is set to expire in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship ending August 27-30. This timing suits Koepka for a 2027 comeback when the PGA Tour plans a condensed schedule of nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited fields. Such an entry would appeal to PGA Tour Enterprises investors backing the new top league.
“He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,” Jon Rahm recently said on the ‘Subpar’ podcast. “He’ll probably play minimally, focusing on big events he enjoys. If qualifying or invitations come, he’ll play those too.” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly influenced by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka’s immediate return, hold relevant approval. Fans also largely seem supportive, per a non-representative ‘Bunkered’ poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf season. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, no general contract extension has been announced, hinting at behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain LIV’s most marketable star following Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
Surprising move: Vijay Singh, the three-time major winner from Fiji’s Viti Levu, is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. Using a career money list exemption, he will compete at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously played on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.