Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns to PGA Tour, and Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner remains linked to the rival circuit but needs more time for his family. This was reportedly a mutual agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is a competitor who thrives on high-level competition, something he found limited at LIV. Having joined LIV in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure his retirement finances, it is not surprising he forgoes the final contracted season, although questions remain about contract buyouts or repayments. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch.
Speculation is rife about which tours Koepka will feature on next. He is eligible to play on the DP World Tour immediately, possibly with a penalty, or on the PGA Tour after serving a one-year suspension since his last LIV appearance, following a reduction of lifetime bans previously enforced by former Commissioner Jay Monahan. According to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, aiming to rejoin the player ranks.
Koepka’s Membership Reapplied: Preparing for PGA Tour Return
His suspension could end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship (August 27–30). Koepka would then be eligible for the 2027 season under PGA Tour’s new schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20 million tournaments with limited and highly competitive fields. This timing suits Koepka well and would be welcomed by investors at PGA Tour Enterprises, the probable organizers of the new top-tier league. Jon Rahm recently expressed confidence in Koepka’s return on the podcast \”Subpar,\” guessing he will at least play minimal events and larger tournaments he prefers. Additionally, the PGA Tour’s board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee, alongside fan opinion, seem favorable to reinstatement, with Rory McIlroy personally recommending Koepka’s immediate return.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Golf Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed he will compete in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His team, the Crushers, with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri, will enter their fifth season unchanged. However, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, stirring speculation about behind-the-scenes agreements to retain the league’s most marketable active player following Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour, leveraging an exemption based on his career earnings rank. The three-time major champion from Fiji will play at the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Singh has previously competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning five titles