Golf

Former Masters champ to leave LIV and seek PGA return

Jan 29, 2026

Patrick Reed is the second major champion to leave Saudi-funded LIV Golf, announcing he'll spend the rest of the year on the European tour with an eye on returning to the PGA Tour as early as September.

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His stunning decision, just three days after he won the Dubai Desert Classic, comes the same week that five-time major champion Brooks Koepka returns to the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines.

The PGA Tour sent a memo to players outlining the path back for players like Reed, who did not fit into the "Returning Member Program" that was offered only to those who had won a major or The Players Championship since 2022.

Reed won the Masters in 2018. The tour said he would be eligible to return a year from his last LIV Golf appearance on August 24, 2025.

He will not face additional discipline from the PGA Tour because Reed resigned his membership when he left for LIV, and he was not part of the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf begins its fifth season in a week's time in Saudi Arabia. Reed will be playing in Bahrain this week as part of the European tour schedule, his third-straight week.

He would have PGA Tour status as a past champion and also could earn a full card if he is among the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai who are not already PGA Tour members.

Reed, who moved to No.29 in the world with his Dubai win, has virtually locked up spots in all four majors this year.