Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube 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As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which starts on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly agreed amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets motivated and fired up during high-level competition, which he has only somewhat experienced in LIV. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns that might have ended his career, seeking a solid retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed salary? Does the 35-year-old remain the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain?
Speculations abound about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant him immediate eligibility, possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV participation, after the former commissioner Jay Monahan reduced lifetime bans? It makes little sense to be vindictive, especially since every prominent LIV returnee benefits the PGA Tour that holds the longer leash. This key question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not extended after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.
Any suspension would expire in August. While the 2026 season concludes with the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 when the PGA Tour introduces nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, top-player fields. A perfect timing for his comeback, fitting his style. Investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, likely the driver of this new top league, would welcome such a big name.
\”He might need some time, but I think he will 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 tournaments he likes, the big ones. If he qualifies or is eligible for high-profile events, he would play those too.\” Perhaps the PGA Tour would overlook certain issues for a five-time major winner; besides the board, player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods also have a say on suspensions. Following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately, this seems likely. A majority of fans apparently agree, according to a non-representative poll by \”Bunkered\” magazine.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri enters the fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau hasn’t announced a general contract extension yet