[Photo: Andy Lyons]
With the news today that former Masters champion Patrick Reed is leaving LIV Golf and putting himself back on a path to the PGA Tour, it could appear on the surface that the brains trust in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is moving its targets on a whim. After all, just two weeks ago, the tour presented a way back for four LIV golfers with a newly created Returning Member Program, with Brooks Koepka being the lone player to choose to immediately come back. Reed wasn’t included in that group because the tour constructed a narrow parameter of those who had won majors or the Players Championship between 2022-2025.
RELATED: Patrick Reed and others leave LIV Golf, seek reinstatement with PGA Tour
In actuality, the route that Reed is taking to put together a full PGA Tour schedule in 2027 – he’ll play either through a top-10 finish in this year’s DP World Tour season standings or with past champion status – was laid out long ago in the tour’s regulations that guard against players making unauthorised starts on competing tours.
Adam Scott, a member of the PGA Tour’s Policy Board and Player Advisory Council, made a point to note that on Wednesday (US time) while talking to reporters after his morning pro-am round ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
“This was decided long ago; everybody should be comfortable with it,” Scott said. “But it’s the first time it’s really happening.
“In fairness to the tour, they had a pathway back for guys and Patrick might be the first to get back through that,” he said. “The other one (Returning Member Program) was created for a small group of people. I guess it possibly continues to happen, just with the way the LIV tour is structured under contracts, guys’ contracts will end…
“I feel good as part of the tour that we had a policy in place that’s now getting used and hopefully it worked well.”
On the policy board, Scott was part of what he said was a unanimous vote for the Returning Member Program policy that also included Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith, all of whom decided to stay at LIV. For Reed’s return, there was no vote needed. Scott, the past Masters champion, seemed to learn of Reed’s decision when reporters asked him for his reaction.
“I think it’s good things for the tour, and probably maybe more positive things for the golf fan,” said Scott, noting that there’s been a narrative in the past couple of years that fans want to see the best players in world compete in the same tournaments more often.
“My personal opinion is that’s little bit harsh,” he said of downplaying the depth of star power on the PGA Tour. “But I understand what they’re saying… and certainly with Brooks returning [and] Patrick might return soon. They’re no joke. Brooks is an incredible player and Patrick’s a major champion and a feisty competitor… So, hopefully the fans appreciate that.
“I feel like we’re just dealing with it for the first time in this cycle, but, you know, it’s hard having a crystal ball to look ahead and know how things play out.”
Photo: Ben Jared
Harris English, this week’s defending champion at Torrey Pines, said he learned of the Reed development today while watching TV in the fitness trailer. He said he knew a bit about Koepka’s return in advance, but not Reed’s.
“As you’re seeing, kind of the dominoes are starting to fall of maybe those guys on the LIV tour are not that happy out there and the grass is not greener on the other side,” English said. “They’re seeing the PGA Tour getting stronger and having more success, and kind of seeing that money’s not the end all, be all. Like that doesn’t fulfil them. It doesn’t fulfil me.
“They’re still competitors; they’re competitive people and they love playing in the biggest events against the best players in the world. For me, that’s out here on the PGA Tour, and I think they’re starting to realise that, that that’s what fulfils them.”
Despite all of the bitter back-and-forth at times between PGA Tour and LIV players and supporters over the past four years, and the debate about possible punishments for those seeking to return to the US-based circuit, at least some players on the PGA Tour seem to be equanimous about the defectors coming back.
Ludvig Aberg, the 26-year-old who’s won twice on the PGA Tour since turning pro in 2023, has played mostly in majors against the likes of Koepka and Reed. The Swede said he had options to go to LIV, but “I didn’t like it; it wasn’t anything I wanted to be a part of.”
In terms of those who are now looking to return, the world No.14 said, “If you’re doing it the right way and you want to come back, I have no problem.”
Reigning US Open champion J.J. Spaun said he believes the PGA Tour is the best in the world and that the return of players such as Koepka and Reed “speaks volumes to where the tour is headed”.
“I think to add even more competition for us that have been here while they left, adding Brooks and Patrick, now, it’s just strengthening our tour, which I think is great,” Spaun said.
Admitting that he might be taking an idealistic view, Spaun said he’s “generally optimistic” about the future of the tour, while laughing about what he sees as golf’s ability to rise above difficult situations. He explained in self-aware dramatic fashion: “Golf always wins in the end. I’m really conscious that a few people can’t mess it up, and if they fiddle too much, they’ll be caught out, and, you know, vanish from the game – like struck down by golf and removed.”
