Patrick Reed has announced his departure from LIV Golf, bringing an end to his four-year stint with the Saudi-backed circuit, reports BritPanorama.
The 2018 Masters champion confirmed the news through a statement posted on social media, revealing he will rejoin the PGA Tour as a past champion member for the 2027 season.
In his statement, Reed remarked, “I’m a traditionalist at heart, and I was born to play on the PGA TOUR, which is where my story began with my wife, Justine.” The American, who claimed nine PGA Tour victories before his move to LIV in 2022, stated that the decision followed “careful thought and consideration” with his family.
Reed’s announcement follows his impressive triumph at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he secured a four-shot victory on Sunday. The 35-year-old will compete on the DP World Tour throughout 2026 as an Honorary Lifetime Member until he becomes eligible to return to the PGA Tour, which requires a year’s absence from his final LIV appearance on August 24, 2025. His Dubai success propelled him to 29th in the world rankings and effectively secured his place in all four major championships this year. Reed is set to compete in the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour this week, marking his third consecutive week of tournament play.
Reed becomes the second high-profile golfer this month to abandon LIV Golf for the PGA Tour, following in the footsteps of five-time major winner Brooks Koepka. Koepka, who captured the 2023 PGA Championship while competing on the LIV circuit, is participating in this weekend’s Farmers Insurance Open. His return came with substantial financial consequences, including a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour’s Player Equity Program, estimated at between $50 million (£36.24 million) and $85 million (£61.60 million) depending on performance and Tour growth. Koepka also agreed to make a $5 million charitable donation as part of the conditions for his reinstatement.
Despite the departures of Reed and Koepka, several prominent LIV Golf figures have reaffirmed their commitment to the Saudi-backed league. Bryson DeChambeau expressed surprise at Koepka’s decision, stating, “I had no idea, no idea that that would happen.” Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open Championship winner, emphasised that his reasons for joining LIV remain unchanged: “I made a decision to come out here and spend more time at home, and I’m not giving that away. I’ll be on LIV for years to come.” Jon Rahm also dismissed any speculation about his future, confirming he is “focused on the league and my team this year.”
In the wake of these developments, Rory McIlroy declared that LIV Golf no longer represents the formidable challenge it once posed to established tours. He stated, “It’s not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it? They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle and I don’t think they will.” McIlroy further commented on the financial implications for LIV, suggesting that they might need to continue their spending to maintain their position in the competitive landscape of professional golf.
These recent moves underscore a shifting dynamic in the world of professional golf, where the interplay of traditional and emerging formats continues to evolve. The game, much like its players, remains in a state of flux and anticipation.
