Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for family, according to the official statement by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated by high-level competition, something he has lacked somewhat at LIV. He switched mainly in 2022 due to injury concerns and to secure a retirement fund. It’s not surprising he skipped the last contract year, though questions remain about buyouts or paybacks. He remains owner of his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation arises on where Koepka will next play: DP World Tour, where he is immediately eligible possibly with a penalty, or PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a reduction of lifetime bans. Why hold grudges when returning LIV players benefit the established PGA Tour? According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking reinstatement to the playing field.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season, when the PGA Tour plans a compressed schedule of about two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields — the perfect timing for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If he qualifies or is invited to the biggest events, he’ll play those, too.\” The suspension decision involves the board, player directors, and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee, reportedly inclined to follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play again. A fan poll by Bunkered magazine showed majority support for Koepka’s return.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League in 2026, with his Crushers team — Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri — entering their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, no general contract extension for DeChambeau has been announced, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain LIV’s currently most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major winner from Fiji uses an exemption based on his position in the career money list and is set to play this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
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