LIV Golf was heading into the 2026 season with a sense that it had finally come through what felt like its most turbulent period since launching four years ago.
Brooks Koepka’s move left LIV in a tough spot, and it only got worse when the PGA Tour opened the door for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith to follow him.
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But for now, it looks like that trio is staying put. LIV had finished rounding out its roster for the upcoming season by adding Michael La Sasso. Or so it seemed.
Patrick Reed has added more uncertainty to his LIV Golf future
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Not many would have picked Patrick Reed as the next LIV player to show interest in a PGA Tour return, especially so soon after Koepka’s move.
Reed has gone on record calling the PGA Tour the top platform for elite golfers and has left the door open for a possible return if that option becomes available.
He may well have meant it. But there was also a sense that he could be using the moment to send a message to LIV, especially with contract talks ongoing.
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What was not clear at first is that Reed’s deal was not running out at the end of the season – it had already expired.
He revealed after winning in Dubai that he is now technically a free agent. And while discussions with LIV are underway, there is no promise he will be playing in Riyadh next month.
This development adds another layer of uncertainty for LIV Golf, especially coming off an offseason where they have already lost ground to the PGA Tour.
Patrick Reed’s future with LIV still up in the air
It would be a real surprise if Reed is not in Riyadh next month, but he does hold all the cards in these talks.
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If Reed walks away from LIV, it leaves them scrambling to fill a key spot right before the season starts.
The league would likely have to pay over the odds just to bring someone in at short notice, and whoever they target will know exactly how desperate LIV is.
Reed has had an excellent run of form recently. He won on the LIV circuit last year and has already picked up a Rolex Series win on the DP World Tour this season.
If he decides to leave now, he could focus entirely on the DP World Tour and try to earn one of the PGA Tour cards available for 2027. That option might be even more appealing after Koepka’s move back across.
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Losing Reed at this stage would be far more damaging than signing him up again. It is another situation where LIV seem to have brought it on themselves.
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