Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns to PGA at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner will remain associated with the rival circuit but seeks more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Koepka, known as a competitive player who thrives on high-level competition, had only limited motivation on LIV. His 2022 move to LIV was primarily driven by injury concerns and securing retirement funds. Questions remain whether he paid out part of his guaranteed salary and if he still owns his LIV team Smash GC, which recently appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about where Koepka might play next – the DP World Tour where he is eligible to play immediately, possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour where he faces a one-year suspension following his last LIV start after previous lifetime bans were softened. Acceptance of returning LIV players could benefit the PGA Tour as they regain prominent names. ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the close of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30, making Koepka eligible for 2027 under the PGA Tour’s new condensed schedule featuring about two dozen $20 million events with limited, highly curated fields—a perfect moment for his return. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome such a marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he’ll return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm on the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll likely play the minimum required events and the big tournaments he enjoys. If he qualifies for or is invited to premier events, he would participate.\” The PGA Tour board, player directors, and Tiger Woods-led competition committee hold sway over suspension rulings, with Rory McIlroy recommending Koepka’s immediate return. Fans seemingly support this move, as a Bunkered magazine poll indicates.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Participation for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed competing in the LIV Golf League in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains intact for its fifth season. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, leading to speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations to retain the league’s most marketable player after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Makes PGA Tour Return at 62
In a surprising move, 62-year-old three-time major winner Vijay Singh from Fiji returns to the PGA Tour, leveraging an exemption for his career earnings rank. He will start this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Singh has played on the PGA Tour Champions, securing five titles including the Senior Players Championship.
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