Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026; Vijay Singh returns on PGA Tour; Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated in top-level sports battles, which he has had limited opportunity for at LIV. He switched to the Saudi league in 2022 mainly because of injury concerns nearly ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, forgoing his last contracted season is not surprising though questions remain: Did he have to buy out the contract or refund part of his guaranteed pay? Does the 35-year-old remain owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which has appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation is rife about which fairways Koepka will appear on next. The DP World Tour would grant immediate playing rights—presumably with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance, following a significant reduction in lifetime bans previously imposed by former Commissioner Jay Monahan? Why hold grudges when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the tour already holding the upper hand? This key question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement to the players’ ranks.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri goes unchanged into its fifth season. Interestingly, BDC has not announced a general contract extension. Speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to keep the league’s current most prominent and marketable active player following Koepka’s departure remains open. More on this soon…
Vijay Singh, 62, returns to PGA Tour
Surprise move: Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major champion from Fiji’s Viti Levu island uses an exemption based on his career money ranking and will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has been playing on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
Koepka reapplies – preps for PGA Tour return
Koepka’s possible suspension would expire in August. Though the 2026 season ends with the Tour Championship Aug 27-30, he would be eligible to play in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressing nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited elite fields. This is the perfect timing for his comeback, fitting Koepka’s competitive nature. Tour Enterprises investors, likely leaders of the new top league, would welcome such a high-profile name.