The 2018 Masters champion, Patrick Reed, confirmed on Wednesday that he will be returning to the PGA Tour, making him the second major name to depart from LIV Golf this winter.
There had been growing speculation over Reed’s future in recent weeks, especially after he spoke positively about the PGA Tour and revealed he had not signed a new deal with LIV Golf for 2026.
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Some thought it was just a negotiating tactic, especially after his win at the Dubai Desert Classic, believing he was using interest from one side to gain leverage with the other.
But now it is official. Reed made his departure clear in a statement released earlier this week.
Brandel Chamblee reacts to Patrick Reed’s move back to the PGA Tour
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
As a past champion, Reed will be eligible to return to the PGA Tour in late August. Until then, he plans to keep competing on the DP World Tour.
LIV Golf now face the task of finding a replacement for the American, with their new season set to begin in Riyadh in early February.
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According to golf analyst Brandel Chamblee, this is yet another significant victory for Brian Rolapp.
“We talk about sublime performances that absolutely blow our mind. The next best thing is rivalries, no doubt about it. Right now, Scottie Scheffler is by far and away the best player in the world, and that’s true even when the LIV players come back and play in major championships. But it is nice to have people come back that are a little rough around the edges,” he said on Golf Channel.
“And there is sort of a Rory, Patrick Reed rivalry, maybe it’s been dormant for the last few years, maybe that comes back. Brooks Koepka and Rory have had the little rivalry. Maybe that does come back. But there’s no question that they’re interesting players. It’s a bad day for LIV and a great day for the PGA Tour.”
LIV Golf left scrambling ahead of Riyadh opener after Patrick Reed departure
It will be interesting to see how LIV responds to Reed’s departure. The league’s options appear limited, as those who qualified through the Promotions event were not permitted to join a team, so taking another name from that list would presumably not work.
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Of course, there are reserves available to step in. However, LIV will likely be keen to regain some momentum by securing a noteworthy signing.
It has been a challenging winter for LIV. While they have made some astute signings and added depth to their roster, the focus remains on Koepka and Reed’s exits.
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