Patrick Reed returns to DP World Tour action after LIV Golf exit as PGA Tour comeback begins
Patrick Reed left the PGA Tour in 2022 to join LIV Golf; fellow American Brooks Koepka was recently handed a pathway back to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf via the Returning Player Program; Reed is seeking reinstatement for the 2027 season, but will be able to play sooner as a non-member
Thursday 29 January 2026 13:56, UK
Patrick Reed has taken his first step toward a PGA Tour comeback, returning to DP World Tour action just a day after announcing his departure from LIV Golf.
In his first start since the announcement, Reed carded a one‑under 71 at the Bahrain Championship at Royal GC, leaving him six shots off the lead.
The 2018 Masters champion joined LIV in 2022, but recently signalled his interest in re-joining the PGA Tour after fellow American Brooks Koepka was granted a pathway back through the new Returning Player Program.
- Leaderboard: Bahrain Championship [external site]
- Patrick Reed set for PGA Tour return after quitting LIV Golf
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On Wednesday, Reed confirmed he is leaving LIV and will compete on the DP World Tour for the remainder of 2026.
He also stated he intends to return to the PGA Tour in 2027 as a past champion member. The PGA Tour, in a parallel statement, said Reed is "seeking reinstatement for the 2027 season".
Reed said his decision followed "careful thought and consideration," adding that he is eligible to play in PGA Tour events later this year. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the DP World Tour, where he holds Honorary Lifetime Membership.
"A traditionalist at heart," Reed said he felt he was "born to play on the PGA Tour," calling it the place where his professional story began alongside his wife, Justine.
According to the Associated Press, the PGA Tour sent a memo to players outlining the path back for players like Reed, who did not fit into the pathway via which Koepka returned, which was only open to those who had won a major or The Players Championship since 2022.
Reed is eligible to return to PGA Tour action a year on from his most recent LIV appearance, which came on August 24, 2025. The first 2026 PGA Tour tournament he could feature in would be the Biltmore Championship Asheville from September 17-20.
The 35-year-old is not facing additional discipline from the PGA Tour because he resigned his membership when he left for LIV and was not part of the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour.
The PGA Tour said: "Patrick Reed has informed the PGA Tour of his desire to return.
"A nine-time PGA Tour winner, he is seeking reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season, playing out of the past champion category.
"As a result of resigning his membership in 2022 prior to violating any PGA Tour Regulations, Patrick is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour as a non-member beginning on August 25, 2026. He may also pursue improved PGA Tour status via the DP World Tour.
"Similar to anyone reinstated under the Returning Member Program, any former PGA Tour member returning to the PGA Tour would be ineligible for participation in the Player Equity Program through 2030."
While Reed is seeking to use his nine PGA Tour victories to return in the past champion category, he could also secure a full card if he is among the top 10 players in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai who are not already PGA Tour members.
Reed's victory at the Dubai Dessert Classic on Sunday lifted him to second in the Race to Dubai and up to 29th in the world rankings, which should enable him to feature in all four majors this year.
'LIV always an advocate for player movement'
LIV Golf reacted to confirmation of Reed's departure with a statement insisting the Saudi-funded tour has "always been an advocate for player movement."
The LIV statement said: "We were not able to come to terms with Patrick on a potential contract extension. We're grateful for everything he contributed during his time on the 4Aces at LIV Golf and wish him the best.
"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.
"As we look forward, our focus remains on building teams and a league that fans can believe in and players enjoy-those who compete at the highest level, play the game the right way, and understand the responsibility to grow the game around the world by engaging fans and celebrating partners.
"We're building the world's golf league and every decision we make is guided by what's best for the long-term future of the game, our players, and fans."
'Another big blow to LIV'
Sky Sports News reporter Jamie Weir reacts to Patrick's Reed's decision to quit LIV Golf:
It's my understanding that for quite some time Patrick Reed has been frustrated and dissatisfied with the limited schedule available to him on LIV.
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 am also aware of several other high-profile names at LIV who feel similarly and are eyeing up opportunities to return to one of the two main global tours.
This is another big blow to LIV, perhaps not on the same scale as Brooks Koepka, but a blow nonetheless. Their signings this off-season have not been particularly eye-catching and Reed's departure just reinforces the impression that the LIV experiment is beginning to unravel.
It is a huge boost to the DP World Tour to have a player of his stature competing more regularly in their tournaments for the duration of 2026, and it is another coup for the PGA Tour to have him returning this autumn.
Reed is a major champion, one of the game's true artists in the way he plays and, whilst he's admittedly divisive and has found himself embroiled in a number of controversial incidents, this only makes him one of golf's more intriguing characters.
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