Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV start in 2026, Vijay Singh returns at 62, Charley Hull launches YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Expected? Brooks Koepka has officially opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major champion remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was reportedly a friendly agreement, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who thrives in high-level competition, something somewhat lacking at LIV. He initially joined in 2022 mainly due to injury concerns and to secure retirement earnings. Thus, skipping the final contracted season isn’t surprising, though questions linger regarding buyout or partial repayment. Koepka remains the owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has already appointed Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation is rife about which tour Koepka will next appear on: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility might require a penalty? Or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension after his last LIV event following the easing of former commissioner Jay Monahan’s lifetime bans? Such retaliation seems unlikely as LIV returnees with star power benefit the established tour. According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which had not been renewed after 2022.
Koepka Prepares for PGA Tour Return
Any potential suspension would expire in August, coinciding with the end of the 2026 season at the Tour Championship from August 27-30. Koepka would be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour launches a new schedule featuring almost two dozen $20 million events with limited top-tier fields—a perfect reentry point for Koepka. Investors behind PGA Tour Enterprises, likely owners of this top league, would welcome another marquee name.
\”He might need some time, but I believe he will return to the PGA Tour,\” Jon Rahm remarked recently on the podcast \”Subpar.\” \”He’ll probably play at least the minimum, and why not the big tournaments he likes? If qualified or invited to elite events, he would compete.\” The competition committee led by Tiger Woods and player directors have a say in suspensions and appear supportive of Koepka’s immediate return, backed by Rory McIlroy’s recommendation. A majority of fans seem to agree as well, as per the magazine \”Bunkered\” survey.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed his participation in the LIV Golf League’s fifth season in 2026. His Crushers team with Charles Howell III, Paul Casey, and Anirban Lahiri remains intact. Interestingly, DeChambeau did not announce a general contract extension, leaving room for speculation about negotiations behind the scenes to retain the league’s currently most marketable star after Koepka’s departure.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at 62
In a surprising move, Vijay Singh returns to the PGA Tour at age 62, leveraging an exemption based on his career earnings ranking. He is