Masters Champion Ends LIV Golf Era, Commits to PGA Tour Return
Nine-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Reed announced Wednesday that he is leaving LIV Golf and will return to the PGA Tour as a past champion member for the 2027 season. Reed’s decision marks another high-profile departure from the Saudi-backed league and comes after his four-year stint with LIV Golf concluded when his contract expired at the end of 2025.
Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, will compete full-time on the DP World Tour in 2026 and becomes eligible to play PGA Tour events as a non-member starting August 25, 2026. This timeline allows him to potentially compete in FedEx Cup Fall tournaments and receive consideration for a Presidents Cup captain’s pick later this year.
A ‘Traditionalist at Heart’
In a statement Wednesday, Reed emphasized his return to golf’s traditional circuit. “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,” Reed said. “After careful thought and consideration, my family and I have decided that I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour.”
Reed credited his time away with personal growth. “Over the last four years, I have learned a lot about myself, about who I am and who I am not, and for that I am forever grateful,” he wrote.
Strong Start on DP World Tour
Reed’s timing comes on the heels of a significant victory. He won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, his first tournament of 2026, and currently ranks second in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings. His recent win vaulted him to No. 29 in the Official World Golf Ranking, demonstrating his competitive form heading into his return to traditional golf.
Different Path Than Koepka
Reed follows Brooks Koepka as the second player to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour, but unlike Koepka, Reed will not receive fast-track reinstatement through the Tour’s new Returning Member Program. Koepka, a recent major winner, qualified for expedited reentry and competed this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Reed’s reinstatement is permitted because he resigned his PGA Tour membership in 2022 before joining LIV Golf, meaning he did not violate Tour regulations. However, Reed will be ineligible to participate in the Player Equity Program through 2030 as a condition of his return.
Path Forward
Reed can improve his 2027 status through multiple avenues, including his performance on the DP World Tour or through PGA Tour Qualifying School. His past champion status grants him full reinstatement rights for the 2027 season, allowing him to compete in all PGA Tour events.
