Patrick Reed has taken the first steps toward returning to the PGA Tour, returning to DP World Tour action just one day after announcing his departure from LIV Golf.
Reed shot a 1-under 71 at the Bahrain Championship held at Royal GC in his first start since his announcement, leaving him six strokes behind the leader.
The 2018 Masters champion joined LIV in 2022, but recently expressed interest in rejoining the PGA Tour after fellow American Brooks Koepka was granted a path back through the new returning player program.
On Wednesday, Reed confirmed that he is leaving LIV and will compete on the DP World Tour for the remainder of 2026.
He also said he plans to return to the PGA Tour in 2027 as a past champion member. The PGA Tour issued a similar statement saying Reed is “exploring a return for the 2027 season.”
Reed said his decision was based on “careful consideration and consideration,” adding that he is eligible to play in PGA Tour events later this year. He also reaffirmed his commitment to DP World Tour, of which he is an honorary lifetime member.
A “traditionalist through and through,” Reed said he feels he was “born to play on the PGA Tour,” and said this is where his professional story began with his wife, Justin.
According to the Associated Press, the PGA Tour sent a memo to players with a return path for players like Reed who didn’t fit into Koepka’s return path, and that return path was only open to players who won a major or The Players Championship in 2022 or later.
Reed will be eligible to return to PGA Tour action one year after his most recent LIV appearance on August 24, 2025. The first 2026 PGA Tour tournament that Reed will be able to compete in will be the Biltmore Championship Asheville, which will be held from September 17th to 20th.
The 35-year-old declined his membership when he transferred to LIV and is not part of the antitrust lawsuit brought against the PGA Tour, so he has not faced any additional disciplinary action from the PGA Tour.
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Tiger Woods says Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour is important to the game, explaining that fans want to see the best players competing, adding that it will strengthen competition at the top level.
“Patrick Reed has informed the PGA Tour of his desire to return,” the PGA Tour said.
“The nine-time PGA Tour winner is seeking reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season, playing from the Past Champion category.
“As a result of retiring from membership in 2022 prior to violating PGA Tour rules, Patrick will be eligible to compete on the PGA Tour as a non-member beginning August 25, 2026. He may also seek improved status on the PGA Tour through the DP World Tour.”
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After winning the Dubai Desert Classic, Patrick Reed admitted winning was ‘much harder than I expected’
“Similar to those returning under the Returning Member Program, former PGA Tour Members who return to the PGA Tour will be ineligible to participate in the Player Equity Program until 2030.”
Reed is looking to use his nine wins on the PGA Tour to return to the past champion category, but he could earn a full card if he is in the top 10 of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and is not yet a PGA Tour member.
Reid’s victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday moves him into second place in the Race to Dubai, moves him to 29th in the world rankings and should enable him to qualify for all four majors this year.
“LIV will always champion player movements.”
LIV Golf responded to confirmation of Reed’s departure with a statement claiming the Saudi-funded tour has “always supported the movement of players.”
LIV said in a statement: “We were unable to reach an agreement with Patrick on a potential contract extension. We thank Patrick for all he has contributed during his time with 4Aces at LIV Golf and wish him the best.”
“LIV has always supported player mobility and recognizes that as golf settles into a new normal, players will have not only the right but also the opportunity to play golf when and where they want.
“Looking forward, we remain focused on building a team and league that our fans trust and our players enjoy. Our players understand their responsibility to grow the game around the world by competing at the highest level, playing the game the right way, engaging fans and celebrating our partners.
“We are building the world’s golf league, and every decision we make will be guided by what is best for the long-term future of the game, our players and our fans.”
“Another big blow to LIV”
Sky Sports News reporter Jamie Weir reacts to Patrick Reed’s decision to leave LIV Golf as follows:
It is my understanding that Patrick Reed has been frustrated and dissatisfied with the limited schedule available at LIV for quite some time.
He is a golfer who enjoys playing and competing, and has always looked to supplement his sparse LIV calendar with DP World Tour events. I know that other big names in LIV feel similarly and are eyeing the opportunity to return on one of two major global tours.
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Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir talks about why Brooks Koepka has been allowed to return to the PGA Tour under the new returning membership program after leaving LIV Golf
This is another big blow for LIV, perhaps not as big as Brooks Koepka, but a blow nonetheless. Their signings this offseason haven’t been particularly eye-catching, and Reed’s departure only reinforces the impression that the LIV experiment is starting to unravel.
Having a player of his stature competing more regularly in tournaments through 2026 is a huge boost for the DP World Tour, and having him back this fall is another huge success for the PGA Tour.
Reed is a major champion and one of the game’s true artists in his play, and while he’s certainly divisive and involved in many controversial incidents, that only makes him one of golf’s most interesting characters.
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