First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh returning, Charley Hull launching YouTube channel. The Back Nine.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season starting February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner stays connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil. Speculation continues on which fairways Koepka will appear next: the DP World Tour, where he would be immediately eligible (possibly with a penalty), or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event. However, sources revealed Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for the PGA Tour’s revamped schedule of nearly two dozen $20-million events in 2027, featuring limited fields—a perfect time for his return. Top players like Jon Rahm expect Koepka to come back, likely playing selected big tournaments. The PGA Tour’s new \”Returning Member Program\” allows certain LIV players to rejoin without suspension, recognizing recent major winners like Koepka for his 2023 PGA Championship victory.
Update: Koepka is now immediately PGA Tour eligible and scheduled for the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and the WM Phoenix Open. He must donate $5 million to PGA Tour charity and faces eligibility restrictions in 2026.
DeChambeau Confirms LIV Start for 2026
Bryson DeChambeau officially confirmed playing in LIV Golf’s 2026 season with his Crushers team. His contract details remain undisclosed, fueling speculation on LIV’s strategy to retain its top star after Koepka’s exit.
Vijay Singh Returns to PGA Tour at Age 62
Surprise move as three-time major winner Vijay Singh uses an exemption based on his career earnings to compete again on the PGA Tour, starting with the Sony Open in Hawaii. He previously played on the PGA Tour Champions with five wins, including the Senior Players Championship.
TGL Faces Low TV Ratings in Season Two
Without Tiger Woods, the second season of the Tomorrow’s Golf League struggles with ratings, drawing only 646,000 viewers on ABC for its opener compared to 919,000 in season one on ESPN. The league co-founders must find a new star to maintain momentum.
Charley Hull to Launch Her Own YouTube Channel
Following Bryson DeChambeau’s lead with over three million subscribers, Charley Hull plans to start her own channel, \”The Sweet Spot,\” debuting this summer. She announced this while playing a singles match with Jason Day on his \”The Lads\” YouTube channel.
Jason Day’s Cryptic Announcement
Jason Day posted \”I’ve quit\” on Instagram, leaving golf fans puzzled. He remains entered for The American Express and likely will not leave the PGA Tour immediately. Speculation includes focusing full-time on the \”The Lads\” YouTube project.