Golfer Patrick Reed Leaves LIV for PGA Tour Return

Former Masters champion cites 'traditionalist' values in move back to PGA after LIV Golf stint

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:23am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of green, blue, and orange, conveying the fractured nature of the sport's current state.The complex dynamics of player movement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf expose the evolving landscape of professional golf.Dallas Today

American golfer Patrick Reed, a nine-time PGA Tour winner and 2018 Masters champion, has announced his departure from LIV Golf and intention to rejoin the PGA Tour for the 2027 season. Reed, currently ranked No. 29 in the world, will compete full-time on the DP World Tour this season before being eligible to return to the PGA Tour as a non-member in August 2026.

Why it matters

Reed's high-profile move from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour adds to the ongoing turmoil in professional golf, as top players continue to shift between the rival tours. This raises questions about player loyalty, the future of golf's power dynamics, and how the sport will balance tradition with innovation.

The details

Reed, who resigned from the PGA Tour in 2022 before playing any LIV Golf events, cited his 'deep connection' to the PGA Tour as a key factor in his decision to return. His nine PGA Tour wins, including the 2018 Masters, underscore his legacy in the sport. Reed's lone LIV Golf victory came at the LIV Dallas event in June 2022, with his last appearance at LIV Michigan in August.

  • Reed resigned from the PGA Tour in 2022 before joining LIV Golf.
  • Reed won the LIV Golf event in Dallas in June 2022.
  • Reed's last appearance on the LIV Golf tour was at the event in Michigan in August 2022.
  • Reed will be eligible to return to the PGA Tour as a non-member starting on August 25, 2026.
  • Reed plans to compete full-time on the DP World Tour this season before rejoining the PGA Tour in 2027.

The players

Patrick Reed

A nine-time PGA Tour winner and 2018 Masters champion, Reed is currently ranked No. 29 in the world. He has announced his departure from LIV Golf and intention to rejoin the PGA Tour for the 2027 season.

Brooks Koepka

A former major champion who recently was reinstated to the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV Golf.

Hideki Matsuyama

A Masters champion who expressed confusion over the PGA Tour's decision to allow LIV golfers to return without clear communication to players.

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What they’re saying

“I'm moving forward in my career, and I look forward to competing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. I can't wait to get back out there and revisit some of the best places on earth.”

— Patrick Reed

“LIV has always been an advocate for player movement and recognizes that when golf settles into a new normal, players will not only have the right but the opportunity to play golf when and where they want.”

— LIV Golf

“At the very least, I didn't know that such a rule was in place. I also have questions about the non-monetary implications, such as the previously enforced one-year ban for LIV participants.”

— Hideki Matsuyama

What’s next

Reed and Koepka will face initial restrictions upon returning to the PGA Tour, as players returning through the tour's program cannot participate in the player equity program until 2030. This raises questions about the long-term financial and competitive impact of such transitions.

The takeaway

Reed's decision to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour adds to the ongoing turmoil in professional golf, as top players continue to shift between the rival tours. This highlights the complex issues of player loyalty, the balance between tradition and innovation, and the future power dynamics in the sport.