Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf start in 2026, Vijay Singh aims for a comeback, Charley Hull also heading to YouTube. The Back Nine.
Not surprising? Brooks Koepka has withdrawn for the 2026 LIV season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains associated with the rival circuit but needs more family time. This was agreed upon amicably, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who thrives on top-level competition but was only moderately motivated at LIV. He switched in 2022 mainly due to injuries threatening his career and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contract year is not surprising, although questions remain. Did he buy out his contract or repay part of his guaranteed fee? Does he remain the owner of his LIV team Smash GC, which appointed Talor Gooch as new captain?
Speculation is rife about where Koepka will next tee off. The DP World Tour would grant immediate eligibility—possibly with a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan softened lifetime bans? Why be vindictive when every returning LIV player, especially a star, benefits the established tour? This question seems partially answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022, seeking reinstatement as a player.
DeChambeau confirms LIV start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 LIV Golf League. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri enters the fifth season unchanged. Notably, BDC did not announce a general contract extension, fueling speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the prominent and marketable LIV star after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh is back on the PGA Tour at age 62. The three-time major champion from Fiji leverages an exemption based on his career money list status and will debut this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh had been competing on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL struggles with TV ratings in season two
Without Tiger Woods, the Tomorrow’s Golf League struggles with TV viewership. The season two opener on ABC drew only 646,000 viewers, down from 919,000 on ESPN in season one. The second match between Atlanta and The Bay attracted merely 354,000 viewers. The creators—Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley—face the challenge of finding a new star to draw attention, as Woods remains unmatched in appeal. McIlroy and Tom Kim have yet to fill that role.
Charley Hull launching her own YouTube channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s example with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull announced her own YouTube channel. The extroverted English Malbon ambassador, known