Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting on February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected with the competing circuit but needs more family time. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives at the highest level, which LIV did not sufficiently provide. He switched to LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns threatening his career and to secure a substantial retirement income. His skipping the final contractual season is therefore unsurprising, although questions remain about potential buyouts or partial reimbursement of guaranteed money. At 35, does he remain owner of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will play next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility, possibly with fines, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after the former lifetime bans issued by ex-commissioner Jay Monahan were significantly softened. It’s uncertain why anyone would act vindictively when every LIV returnee benefits the more established tour. This key issue seems partly resolved as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his canceled PGA Tour membership and rejoin the player pool.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed participation in the LIV Golf League for 2026. His Crushers team featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri enters its fifth season unchanged. Notably, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, sparking speculation on behind-the-scenes arrangements to prevent losing LIV’s currently most marketable player after Koepka.
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 money list standing. The three-time major winner from Fiji starts this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL struggles with TV ratings in second season
The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) has started its second season with weak television ratings. Without Tiger Woods, ratings have declined significantly; the season opener on ABC drew only 646,000 viewers compared to 919,000 for the inaugural season’s first day on ESPN. The second match attracted just 354,000 viewers. The league’s creators — Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley — need a new standout star to maintain momentum, a difficult task given Tiger’s unmatched influence. McIlroy and Tom Kim have yet to fill that role.
Charley Hull launching YouTube channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s success with over three million YouTube subscribers, Charley Hull,