Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion and nine-time PGA Tour winner, has revealed his intention to return to the PGA Tour after several years away competing primarily on LIV Golf and the DP World Tour.
Reed’s statement, made via social media and confirmed by the PGA Tour, confirmed that he will be eligible to compete in PGA Tour events later this year as a non-member, starting on August 25, and is seeking to have his membership reinstated for the 2027 season as a past champion member.
“After careful thought and consideration, my family and I have decided that I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour,” Reed said in an Instagram post.
A Return After a Long Absence
Reed’s planned return is significant because he has not played a regular PGA Tour event since 2022, when he left the circuit to join LIV Golf. Having competed on the Saudi-backed breakaway league for several seasons, Reed became a global golfing fixture through a mix of individual wins, team competitions, and high-profile rivalries.
“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. I will continue to compete and play as an Honorary Lifetime Member on the DP World Tour, which is something that I am truly honored and excited to do,” Reed said.
“I’m a traditionalist at heart, and I was born to play on the PGA Tour, which is where my story began with my wife, Justine. I am very fortunate for the opportunities that have come my way and grateful for the life we have created. I am moving forward in my career, and I look forward to competing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.”
In the years since, the former Masters champion has remained active worldwide, playing on multiple tours including the DP World Tour, where he won the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and recording strong worldwide results. But despite those successes, Reed’s PGA Tour absence has been a talking point among fans and analysts, particularly when compared with Brooks Koepka, who recently returned through the Tour’s Returning Member Program.
Reed’s situation is a bit different because he does not currently qualify for that program; his major victory came in 2018, outside the eligibility window the Tour set up for that process. Nonetheless, his plan charts a pathway back to the PGA’s fold through competition later this year and a full return by the 2027 season.
“I can’t wait to get back out there and revisit some of the best places on earth. I want to thank everyone involved for helping me make this decision,” he continued. “Over the last four years, I have learned a lot about myself, about who I am and who I am not, and for that I am forever grateful. To Dustin Johnson, The Aces, and LIV Golf, I want to thank you for the memories we shared and created together. To golf fans around the world, I just want to thank you all for your continued support over the years. I just ask that you respect the decision we have made for our family, our children, and our future. Thank you for your continued support.”
How Reed’s Return Will Work
According to the PGA Tour, Reed will be eligible as a non-member to compete in PGA Tour events starting August 25, a date that aligns with the beginning of the FedEx Cup Fall season. Non-members can play through open qualifiers and sponsor exemptions, giving Reed several ways to get starts and begin accumulating momentum toward the 2027 season.
For 2027, Reed intends to rejoin as a past champion member, affording him greater flexibility and access to events on the regular schedule. Playing out of that category, he can compete in more tournaments without relying solely on exemptions.
Part of Reed’s strategy includes continuing his campaign on the DP World Tour throughout the 2026 season, where he now stands at no. 2 in the Race to Dubai standings. A top finish there could help improve his status and prepare him for a smooth transition back to the U.S.-based circuit.
Reed Reflects on His Decision
As the Tour continues to navigate how to reintegrate players who previously departed, officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive integrity while allowing clear, structured pathways back.
“We feel this is an appropriately significant, and justified, financial consequence for former PGA TOUR members who are reinstated,” Tyler Dennis, Chief Competitions Officer, and Jason Gore, Chief Player Officer, said in a memo. “We remain committed to strengthening the PGA Tour, serving our fans and welcoming back players who wish to return–through a consistent, policy-based process.”
Importantly, Reed’s announcement comes at a moment when the sport is seeing a trend of high-profile players reconsidering their affiliations. Reed’s move followed other recent developments, such as Koepka’s PGA Tour return, fueling broader speculation about whether more players might rethink their commitments across tours.
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