Patrick Reed has left LIV Golf after failing to agree on a contract extension, announcing his intention to return to the PGA Tour in late 2026. The 2018 Masters champion cited family reasons and his traditionalist roots in the decision. His departure, following Brooks Koepka's return, highlights ongoing challenges for the Saudi-backed league amid financial pressures.
Patrick Reed's exit from LIV Golf, announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, came just days after he won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. In a statement, Reed described himself as "a traditionalist at heart" who was "born to play on the PGA Tour," adding that the move was made "for our family, our children." LIV Golf confirmed they could not reach an agreement on a potential contract extension with the No. 29-ranked player, who has nine PGA Tour victories.
Reed, who resigned his PGA Tour membership before joining LIV in 2022, faces no outstanding violations and will be eligible to compete as a non-member in late August 2026. He plans to play the remainder of the 2026 DP World Tour season, aiming for a top-10 finish in the Race to Dubai to earn full PGA Tour status for 2027. On Friday, in the second round of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, Reed shot a 5-under 67 with seven birdies, climbing to a tie for 22nd, 10 strokes behind leader Calum Hill's 16-under total.
The departure underscores broader dilemmas for LIV, funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has incurred $5 billion in losses since inception, including $1.4 billion for LIV Golf Ltd. in under three years. Reports indicate PIF belt-tightening due to low oil prices—the lowest since 2021—and scaling back the Neom project, with costs exceeding initial estimates by over eight times to $8.8 trillion. As LIV's 2026 season opens February 4 in Riyadh, upcoming contract renewals for stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm loom large, with DeChambeau hinting at YouTube pursuits if negotiations falter.
Reed's move follows Koepka's return, which he said rekindled his love for the game: "I think I’ve fallen back in love with the game." PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's Returning Member Program facilitates such reinstatements, boosting the tour's product. Players like Corey Conners welcome it: "Having (Koepka) back on the PGA Tour makes the PGA Tour better." Others, including Kevin Na, Hudson Swafford, and Pat Perez, have also reinstated memberships. Rory McIlroy noted some LIV players are realizing "they’re not getting everything that they wanted."
LIV's bid for Official World Golf Ranking points remains unresolved, delayed beyond this week despite format changes like 72-hole events and increased relegations to 11 players for 2026.
