Patrick Reed confirmed on January 28, 2026, that his time with LIV Golf had come to an end, having joined the league in June 2022. The announcement followed his victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where he secured his first Rolex Series title. He had already revealed that negotiations with LIV Golf were underway, and it looks like they didn’t go as expected.

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Why did Patrick Reed quit LIV Golf?

Although the 9x PGA Tour winner didn’t reveal the exact reason, his announcement post gives us hints.

“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,” Patrick Reed wrote in an X post.

“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. I can’t wait to get back out there and revisit some of the best places on earth.”

While LIV Golf switched to the traditional 72-hole format, it still does many things differently.

For instance, it continues with its shotgun start.

Reed could have also made the move to rise in the OWGR rankings. His win at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic already helped him get past Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. If he continues to play on these tours, he could improve his game and surpass his previous OWGR best.

Patrick Reed’s best OWGR ranking is World No. 6. After the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic win, he has already moved to No. 29. However, he is not yet eligible to return to the PGA Tour.

When can Patrick Reed return to the PGA Tour?

Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf in December and was quickly reinstated on the PGA Tour. In fact, the Returning Member Program cleared the path for Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith. However, it is not that simple for Reed.

Patrick Reed can begin competing in PGA Tour events as a non-member starting August 25, 2026. This will complete the one-year ban he faces for competing in LIV Golf. So, he could play the Fall events via sponsor exemptions or open qualifying.

He plans full reinstatement as a past champion for the 2027 season. He has 9 PGA Tour wins, including the 2018 Masters, in his resume.

For now, he hinted at the path he would choose during a press conference at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The American professional said he would continue competing on the DP World Tour and aim for a top-10 finish in the Race to Dubai Rankings. This will get him a full exempt PGA Tour card for the 2027 season. Laurie Canter has already proven that this path works well, though he ditched the PGA Tour to return to LIV Golf.

Patrick Reed has a clear goal in his mind. One way or another, he wants to secure eligibility by 2027 and start competing on the PGA Tour as quickly as possible.