Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh making a comeback, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains connected to the competing circuit but needs more time for his family. This amicable agreement was officially stated by LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition and gets motivated only during such contests, which LIV has offered somewhat limitedly. He mainly joined LIV in 2022 due to injury fears about ending his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is understandable, though questions remain regarding buyouts or salary reimbursements. He also remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as the new captain.
Speculations abound about Koepka’s upcoming appearances. Whether on the DP World Tour where he would be immediately eligible, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event, following former Commissioner Jay Monahan’s reduction of lifetime bans. There is no advantage in bitterness since every returnee to the PGA Tour, especially a notable one, plays well into the hands of the tour with more leverage. This key question now sees a partial answer: ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership that wasn’t renewed after 2022 and to be reinstated as a player.
An eventual suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season after the Tour Championship from August 27 to 30. However, Koepka would be eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new schedule compressing nearly two dozen $20 million events into limited, elite fields. This presents a perfect comeback opportunity fitting Koepka’s style. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would surely welcome another high-profile name.
\”He may need some time, but I believe 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 events he likes, the big ones. If he then qualifies or gets invites to elite events, he’ll play those too.\” Perhaps Ponte Vedra Beach will turn a blind eye for the five-time major champ — as besides the board, player directors and the Tiger Woods-led competition committee have a say on suspensions, and they follow Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to let Koepka play immediately. This stance aligns with a majority of fans per a non-representative \”Bunkered\” poll.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter their fifth season unchanged. Interestingly, DeChambeau has not announced a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements aimed at retaining LIV’s current most prominent