Patrick Reed, former LIV Golf player and past Masters champion, detailed his reasons for leaving the league during a pre-Masters press conference in Augusta, Georgia. He cited a desire for more family time and the adrenaline of traditional tournament golf as key factors. Reed remains suspended from the PGA Tour until late summer but plans to return later this year.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed made clear his fondness for LIV Golf during Monday's pre-Masters press conference, stating he still roots for his former 4Aces team and captain Dustin Johnson. 'Really, at the end of the day, I really enjoyed all my time over there at LIV,' Reed said. 'It was a blast. Those guys are fun to be around.' Despite this, he chose to depart after his contract ended, entering a limbo period playing the DP World Tour and majors while suspended from the PGA Tour until late summer. The PGA Tour announced on Jan. 28 his plans to return later in 2026, with full membership eyed for 2027. Reed pointed to family priorities and a competitive craving as catalysts for the move. His daughter is 11 and son is 8, and he wanted more time at home. A pivotal moment came during the Dubai Desert Classic, his second DP World Tour event, where contention in the weekend rounds reignited his longing for sequential tee times and leaderboard battles typical of traditional golf. 'I wanted that adrenaline back,' Reed said. Negotiations with LIV for 2026 were ongoing, but after consulting his wife and team, he opted for the PGA Tour to stay closer to family. Strong recent form bolstered his position: two wins and a runner-up in six DP World Tour starts, including T2 in Bahrain and a win in Qatar. He now leads the Race to Dubai with 2,340 points. Reed enters this week's Masters confidently, with five top-12 finishes in his last six starts here, including T3 last year. 'It’s the best test of golf we play all year round,' he said of Augusta National.
