Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins on February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains affiliated with the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he only partially found in LIV. He mostly joined LIV in 2022 due to injury concerns ending his career and to secure a substantial retirement fund. His decision to forgo the last contractual season raises questions: did he buy out of the contract or return part of his guaranteed salary? He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculations focus on which fairways Koepka will next appear. At the DP World Tour, he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty fee, or at the PGA Tour where he must serve a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, following the reduction from Jay Monahan’s initial lifetime bans. This fundamental question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, aiming for reintegration into the player pool.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start in 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His Crushers team, featuring Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will continue unchanged into the fifth season. However, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, prompting speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the league’s current most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, three-time major winner Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. Utilizing an exemption due to his career earnings ranking, Singh will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Until now, he had competed on the PGA Tour Champions, where he won five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Strong Speculation Around Koepka’s PGA Tour Return
Koepka’s suspension could end in August, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2026 season. He would then be eligible to compete in the 2027 season as the PGA Tour plans to introduce a condensed schedule featuring roughly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited-fields of top players—a perfect time for Koepka’s return. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises would undoubtedly welcome another big name. Jon Rahm recently expressed in the “Subpar” podcast that although Koepka might need time, he expects him back on the PGA Tour, possibly playing select big tournaments he favors. Rory McIlroy supports immediately reinstating Koepka, as does Tiger Woods’ competition committee. A fan survey by Bunkered magazine also indicates majority support for Koepka’s return