Koepka reapplies for PGA Tour membership, preparing for 2027 return

Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for PGA comeback at 62, Charley Hull to launch YouTube channel soon. The Back Nine.Brooks Koepka notably opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh, citing a need for more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, a five-time major champion, has maintained ties with the competing circuit but appears to be shifting focus. Having joined LIV in 2022 primarily for financial security due to injury concerns, his skipping of the final contracted season raises questions about possible buyouts and his ongoing ownership of the LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch. Speculation surrounds Koepka’s next steps, be it returning to the DP World Tour, possibly with a penalty, or rejoining the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which expired after 2022, seeking reentry to the players’ pool. The suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season’s end at the Tour Championship. If admitted, Koepka could compete in 2027 under the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million events with limited elite fields, an ideal timing per Koepka’s preferences. Investor interest in the new PGA Tour Enterprises league would benefit from his return as well. Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka may gradually return, playing preferred big events, supported by backing from Rory McIlroy and likely a majority of fans per a \”Bunkered\” magazine poll. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in LIV’s fifth season in 2026 with his Crushers team unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes arrangements to retain the league’s marquee players following Koepka’s departure. In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh is returning to the PGA Tour, leveraging an exemption from his career money list status, starting with the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh, a three-time major winner from Fiji, has been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, securing five titles including the Senior Players Championship. The Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) faces lukewarm TV ratings in its second season without Tiger Woods, who is sorely missed as a major draw. ABC’s opening day saw only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 in the premiere season on ESPN. Matches like Atlanta vs The Bay attracted only 354,000 viewers. TGL co-creators Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley are under pressure to find a new star attraction, as Woods remains unmatched as an audience magnet. Similarly, Charley Hull is following Bryson DeChambeau’s lead by planning to launch her own YouTube channel, \”The Sweet Spot,\” debuting this summer. The English Malbon ambassador, known for her bold fashion sense, announced this on Jason Day’s YouTube channel \”The Lads.\” Cryptically, Jason Day recently posted \”I’ve quit\” on Instagram, leaving his golf future uncertain