Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, has left LIV Golf and will return to PGA Tour events starting late this year. The 35-year-old American announced his decision on Wednesday, saying he plans to compete on the DP World Tour for the rest of 2026 before reinstating his PGA Tour membership as a past champion in 2027. Reed's move comes days after Brooks Koepka began his own return to PGA Tour play, giving the circuit a boost as top players come back.
Background
Reed joined LIV Golf in June 2022, shortly after winning the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour. He resigned his PGA Tour membership at that time to avoid breaking any rules. Over the next few years, he played in LIV events and also made starts on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour. LIV Golf, backed by Saudi interests, offered big money to many top players, pulling some away from the PGA Tour.
The split created tension. The PGA Tour set rules for players who left, including suspensions for those who played in unauthorized events. Reed avoided extra punishment because he quit his membership before competing in LIV. His last LIV event was on August 24, 2025. That date sets his eligibility to return to PGA Tour fields as a non-member on August 25, 2026.
Brooks Koepka, a two-time PGA Championship winner, took a different path back. He qualified under a new Returning Member Program for recent major winners. Koepka played in the Farmers Insurance Open this week, marking his first full PGA Tour start since leaving for LIV. His return opened talks about other players following suit.
Reed won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour last Sunday by four shots. After that win, he said he had not signed a new LIV contract for 2026. He now ranks second in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai points list. That position could help him earn better PGA Tour status for 2027 if he finishes in the top 10.
Key Details
Reed released a statement on Wednesday about his plans. He will play the rest of 2026 on the DP World Tour as an honorary lifetime member. From late August 2026, he can enter PGA Tour events as a non-member through sponsor invites or open qualifiers. Full membership reinstatement comes in 2027 under the past champion category.
Reed's Path Back
The PGA Tour confirmed Reed's timeline. Because he resigned cleanly in 2022, no further discipline applies. He forfeits any share in the PGA Tour's player equity program through 2030, a standard term for returnees. Reed holds a lifetime exemption to the Masters and ranks 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking, securing spots in majors.
He could get a captain's pick for the 2026 Presidents Cup team in September. Reed has nine PGA Tour wins, including his major. His most recent non-major PGA Tour victory was in 2021.
"I am excited to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR as a past champion member for the 2027 season and am eligible to begin competing in PGA TOUR events later this year," Reed said in a statement.
Koepka's Role
Koepka's return sets a template. The PGA Tour created the Returning Member Program earlier this month for players like him, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith. The application window closes February 2. Officials expect only Koepka to use it. He skipped recent LIV commitments to focus on PGA events.
Other LIV players have inquired about returns. Kevin Na, Pat Perez, and Hudson Swafford regained membership but face lingering issues from past violations. Perez and Swafford can play from January 1, 2027.
What This Means
Reed's decision shows players weighing options as LIV contracts end. He told reporters family matters most, wanting to play closer to home. After his Dubai win, he missed the daily competition of PGA Tour life.
"I loved my time on LIV. I became a different person because of the friendships with players I've made. Family is my priority and playing closer to them is what really matters. I can't get days back," Reed said.
PGA Tour leaders sent a memo to members stressing fair rules for all returnees. They apply policies evenly, without special deals. Adam Scott, a PGA Tour policy board member, called it a test of the system's strength.
The tour gains from having Reed and Koepka back. Both bring major wins and fan draw. Reed's world ranking ensures he competes at high levels right away. Koepka's early 2026 play tests the waters for others.
Players like Maverick McNealy see it as a win for the PGA Tour's future. Two years ago, LIV's rise threatened stability. Now, returns suggest the circuit holds appeal with its schedule, majors path, and team events like the Presidents Cup.
Reed starts this week at the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour. He made 10 starts there in 2025. Success could lock in top status for 2027. Meanwhile, Koepka pushes forward at the Farmers Insurance Open.
LIV Golf extended Dustin Johnson's deal on January 14 and planned for Reed on the 4Aces team. That changed quickly. Reed becomes a free agent, focusing on PGA and DP World Tour play.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp noted the reinstatement window closing soon. More players may follow if contracts allow. The tour commits to consistency, balancing welcomes with fairness to loyal members.
Reed always planned a return, he said. He knows he must earn his spot. His Dubai victory shows form remains sharp. With Koepka leading, Reed's move could spark a wave of shifts back to the PGA Tour.
