Victor Perez LIV Golf PGA Tour quit golf news interview
Dive into the exclusive interview with Victor Perez as he reveals why he left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Discover the key conversation that forced his hand, his struggles on the PGA Tour, and his excitement for LIV’s format with 72 holes and team play. Learn about his family considerations, financial stability, and comparisons to the DP World Tour. This video covers Perez’s journey, motivations, and the future of golf tours.
Perez discusses facing challenges like changing rules, lack of clarity, and the appeal of LIV’s mega purses and consistent schedule. Hear why he chose LIV over staying on the DP World Tour and his hopes for major championships and Ryder Cup. Perfect for golf fans following the PGA Tour vs LIV Golf rivalry.
A single conversation changed everything. Why Victor Perez left the PGA Tour for LIIV Golf. In a move that sent shock waves through the golf world, Victor Perez recently made the bold decision to join LIV Golf, leaving behind his PGA Tour card. But what drove this rising star to make such a controversial switch? In an exclusive candid interview, Perez opens up about the pivotal conversation that sealed his fate, his tense showdown with PGA Tour executives, and why a full season on the DP World Tour felt like a step backward. But here’s where it gets controversial. Was it the allure of LIV’s massive purses? Or was there something deeper at play? Imagine this. Perez, a seasoned golfer who’s climbed the ranks from the Elps tour, now finds himself in his home gym, his 10-month-old daughter sleeping nearby as he reflects on a decision that’s reshaped his career. “I’ve basically been kicked out of my own house,” he jokes, his treadmill and waits a reminder of a life now left behind. “Yet the coffee just out of frame hints at a moment of calm amidst the storm. Since his move to LIV Golf became official, Perez has been at the center of heated debates. But today, he’s taking a breather. a well-deserved one given the chaos. After resigning from the PGA tour last month, Perez retreated to Edinburgh. Now he’s spending a few days in London with his family before heading back to the Bahamas for an early Christmas. But the real work begins soon. A 5we preseason will lead him to the Dubai Desert Classic, a tuneup before his LIV Golf debut in Riyad in early February. And this is the part most people miss. Perez isn’t just chasing big paychecks. He’s seeking stability, clarity, and a competitive environment that the PGA Tour increasingly failed to provide. It’s my first season with LIV, so it’s hard to compare my level to others, Perez admits. But I’m excited. The other guys will have to readjust to 72 holes, which might play into my hands. I’ve always been consistent, and that’s crucial in LIV, where four scores count for the team. Last year, the Clicks golf club struggled when one player’s performance dipped. Perez aims to avoid that. My goal is to improve my game and post solid scores consistently, lifting the team’s performance, he explains. The struggle and the straw that broke the camel’s back. 2025 was a challenging year for Perez and his new team. While he didn’t play poorly, a single top 10 finish and the PGA Tour’s unclear qualification criteria made planning nearly impossible. I didn’t always know when or where I’d be playing next, he recalls. It meant lastminute flights and accommodations, while my wife Abigail cared for our newborn. Perez, who earned his PGA Tour spot through the 2023 race to Dubai ranking, admits, “I didn’t have the best two seasons in America. I played decently, but lacked high finishes to contend. The PGA Tours ranking system felt topheavy, and once you fell outside the top 10, it was hard to capitalize. In 2024, Perez played a career-high 28 events on the DP World and PGA Tours. But this year, he dropped to 25, missing both the Open Championship and end of season playoffs. To retain full PGA Tour status, he needed a top five finish in the final fall event to crack the FedEx Cup’s top 100, a drop from 125 the previous year. For Perez, this was another example of the PGA Tours moving goalposts, favoring the elite while squeezing out others. But here’s the real kicker. Midway through the season, Perez voiced his concerns to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolap, who offered little reassurance. This lack of clarity pushed Perez to explore other options, leading him to the negotiating table with Clicks Golf Club. Clicks had a struggling player and it felt like a spot would open up, Perez reveals, referring to Frederick Jetrop’s relegation. My agents communicated with Jonas Martinson, the general manager, and that’s how it started. But for me, knowing my teammates was crucial. I’ve always had a great relationship with Martin Kir, and I knew Adrien Moranc from our 2023 PGA Tour class. And who doesn’t know Richard Bland? The team matched what I was looking for. Once rumors surfaced, Perez’s departure accelerated. 2 days before the RSM Classic, his last scheduled PGA Tour event, his move to LIV became headline news. He withdrew that afternoon knowing the fight for his card was feutal. 5 years ago, if someone told me I’d resigned from the PGA Tour, I wouldn’t have believed it, Perez reflects. But it is what it is. At this point in my career, the PGA Tour wasn’t the best fit for me and my family. It wasn’t an easy decision. I consulted many people, not just players, to get different perspectives. And this is where it gets even more intriguing. Perez acknowledges LIIV’s challenges like more difficult travel, especially with a young family. But does the good outweigh the bad? On LIIV, you know exactly which events you’ll play, which wasn’t the case in America, he explains. There were so many factors, and once I understood what it would take, I was comfortable with the decision. That’s not to say Perez has given up on majors or RDER Cups. He plans to keep his DP World Tour membership, though fines and suspensions for LIIV players complicate matters. LIIV Golf has announced it won’t cover these penalties from next year, which could have major repercussions. In a perfect world, there’d be an agreement for everyone to play happily, Perez says. But it’s blurry what both tours are willing to agree on. The DP World Tour wants players back, but imposes hefty fines, which won’t unite the game. No one seems to find common ground, and the compromises are too big right now. Golf may pretend to be a gentleman’s game, but Perez knows better. After grinding his way up, he’s seen friends struggle while tour power brokers preach loyalty, but maneuver behind the scenes. No wonder Perez felt tied up and knots amid such uncertainty. For months, he agonized over schedules, pathways, and rankings. The DP World Tour, once his natural home, offered fewer incentives and less stability. In this light, Eli looked less like a gamble and more like an escape. Eli these events, competition, and prize money are significantly stronger than the DP World Tour. Perez argues the DP World Tour only gets its best players back from September onward, and the strength of field has been historically weaker in Europe. From a competition perspective, LIIV felt like a better place to develop. He adds, “Wearing my business hat, LIV makes sense. 14 events with mega purses, no cuts, and guaranteed money. Wearing my performance hat, LIV’s field includes John Rom, Bryson Dashambo, and other major winners. Compared to the DP World Tour, which loses its top players annually, LIIV’s competition is more challenging. But let’s address the elephant in the room, the money. LIIV’s $30 million purses are hard to ignore. Perez made $4.5 million in America last season, slightly more than a single LIIV victory could bring. Was this the deciding factor? It’d be crazy to say money wasn’t part of it, he admits with a smile. But these opportunities arise at certain times. It’s a multi-year deal giving me stability. Yet, I can’t afford to underperform. If I’m in the relegation zone, why would they keep me? It’s like football. Perform or face consequences. In an era where players often dodge tough questions, Perez stands out for his honesty. He’s clear about his motivations and trade-offs, seeking certainty and financial security for his family. After experiencing inequality and instability across four tours, his decision feels less like a betrayal and more like a pragmatic choice. The bigger question, where does golf go from here? Perez’s move raises bigger questions about golf’s future. As LIIV and the PGA Tour continue their tugofwar, players are caught in the middle. Is golf truly a gentleman’s game, or is it becoming a battleground for power and money? Here’s the million-doll question. Can the golf world find common ground, or will the divide only deepen? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s spark a discussion.
