Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf 2026 start, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected? Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, which begins February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time. The decision was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka is a competitive type who gets highly motivated and fired up during top-level sports contests, something that was limited with LIV. He turned to the Saudi-backed league in 2022 primarily because injury issues made him doubt his career longevity and he wanted a good retirement fund. Given this, his skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about potential buyouts or repayments. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which named Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation rages on which fairways Koepka will appear next. On the DP World Tour, where he’d be eligible immediately, possibly with a penalty? Or on the PGA Tour, where a one-year suspension after his last LIV appearance applies, but life bans imposed by previous Commissioner Jay Monahan have been greatly softened? Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee, especially a prominent one, benefits the tour with the upper hand? This key question seems partly answered. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reported that Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement to the player circle.