Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Predictable? Brooks Koepka has reportedly opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. LIV CEO Scott McNeil stated this was agreed upon amicably. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives on high-level contests, something LIV hasn’t fully provided. Having joined the Saudi-backed league in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and for a solid retirement payout, it’s not surprising he skips the contract’s last season, though questions remain about possible buyout terms or the status of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about Koepka’s next fairways. Would he return to the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility is likely, possibly with a penalty? Or to the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event, after previous lifetime bans were softened? This critical question seems partly answered: ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, to rejoin the player roster.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, aligning with the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20-million events with elite limited fields, ideal for his style. Such a return would benefit PGA Tour Enterprises investors looking to strengthen the league’s brand with another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm recently on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the events he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or gets in, he’d play those, too.\” Moreover, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and competition committee led by Tiger Woods—who’s reportedly supportive following Rory McIlroy’s endorsement—could ease his return. A majority of fans also seem to favor this move, according to a non-representative poll 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, including Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will continue unchanged into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, sparking rumors about behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at retaining LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour utilizing an exemption based on his career earnings ranking. The three-time major winner from Fiji will play this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh