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 February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major champion remains connected to LIV but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka, known for thriving in high-level competition, was less motivated in the LIV circuit. Having joined LIV in 2022 amid injury concerns and to secure his retirement fund, his decision to skip the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or partial paybacks. It is also unclear if he retains ownership of his LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next compete. Will it be the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he’d serve a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance due to previously softened lifetime bans imposed by former commissioner Jay Monahan? This crucial question seems partly answered. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally submitted a request last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player pool.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. This timing would make Koepka eligible for the 2027 season, which features a new PGA Tour schedule compressed to around two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly competitive fields. A perfect timing for his comeback, fitting Koepka’s preferences and appealing to investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, the probable organizers of the new top league.
\”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 gets invited to top events, he’ll play those as well.\” The player board and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, who have the say regarding suspensions, might be lenient towards a five-time major winner like Koepka, following Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow him to compete immediately. Public sentiment seems supportive too, according to a non-representative survey by Bunkered magazine.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau has officially confirmed that he will compete in LIV Golf in 2026. His Crushers team along with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri will enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension. Speculation continues about arrangements behind the scenes to retain LIV’s most marketable active player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh, at 62, returns to PGA Tour
In a surprising development, Vijay Singh is