Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf season 2026 starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will stay connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who gets motivated and heated in top-level competitions, something LIV did not fully offer him. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career end and to secure a substantial retirement fund, his skipping the final contracted season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible paybacks or buyouts. He remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has promoted Talor Gooch as the new captain.
The big speculation is which tours Koepka will join next: the DP World Tour where he could play immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV participation. Former lifetime bans have been significantly reduced by the former commissioner Jay Monahan. Why hold grudges when prominent LIV returnees benefit the established tours? This seems partially answered as ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported Koepka has formally applied to reactivate his PGA Tour membership last Friday, aiming to regain player status.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
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 remains unchanged going into the fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension; speculation continues behind the scenes about arrangements made to retain LIV’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh, the three-time major champion from Fiji, is returning to the PGA Tour at 62. He uses an exemption due to his career earnings ranking and will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles, including the Senior Players Championship.
Tomorrow’s Golf League Struggles in Season Two
Without Tiger Woods, the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) has struggled to maintain viewership. The season two opening day on ABC drew only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 in the first season’s premiere on ESPN. The second match attracted only 354,000 viewers. The league’s founders, including Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley, face the challenge of finding a new star to maintain interest, as Woods remains unmatched in drawing viewers.
Charley Hull Launching Own YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s success with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull is launching her own YouTube channel. The 29-year-old Malbon ambassador from England, known for her flamboyant off