Patrick Reed actually pulled it off – securing a direct return ticket to the PGA Tour for 2027 with his LIV exit. The 36-year-old golfer declined an extension of his LIV contract before the 2026 season, even though the league still had powerful support from Saudi Arabia. He put all his chips on the table: full focus on the DP World Tour to play his way back.
Reed's plan more than paid off. On the DP World Tour, he delivered truly strong results: Already in January, he claimed victory at the Dubai Desert Classic. Just a week later, he was in a playoff in Bahrain, before snatching his next title at the Qatar Masters. He proved that he's not just showing up, but also delivering.
The Bet Paid Off
Reed's calculation to secure a spot in the top 10 of the Race to Dubai standings via the DP World Tour (and thus a PGA Tour card for 2027) has fully paid off. He currently sits in 3rd place in the Race to Dubai, even before the Grand Final in Dubai takes place. This season has been one of the most personally satisfying of his career – a kind of triumphal procession where he proved he could fight his way back to his former status.
Future on the Green and for Other "Former Players"
Now Reed aims to attack again on the PGA Tour, win more titles, and set his sights on the US Ryder Cup Team. A statement that is likely to cause mixed feelings among his ex-LIV colleagues, whose future after LIV's insolvency is still unclear. While the PGA Tour is still pondering a broader path for returnees, Reed has opened his door himself. The big question remains: Can he seriously challenge Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy?
