Patrick Reed Stays LIV Free Agent Post-Dubai Win; Eyes PGA Tour Return?

Patrick Reed remains a free agent after his recent triumph at the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. This victory came just weeks before the start of LIV Golf’s 2026 season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reed, a member of the 4Aces GC since June 2022, has not yet finalized a new contract with the Saudi-backed golf league.

Uncertain Future with LIV Golf

Reed commented on his contract situation, stating, “We’re still finalizing the contract. We’re not complete on that yet.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on his game while competing, reserving early part of the week for business discussions. “Once Thursday got here, just focus on golf and golf only,” he noted.

Upcoming Challenges

Reed is set to participate in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, making the upcoming days crucial for his LIV future. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his contract, Reed anticipates re-signing. “I’d be surprised if we’re not,” he stated, although he has yet to speak with his team back home.

Performance Highlights

In his four years with LIV, Reed has consistently performed well. Key statistics include:

• Finished seventh or better in points three times.
• Claimed his first individual title at LIV Dallas last season.
• Participated in 18 world-ranked events last year.

Last season, Reed managed ten starts on the DP World Tour and was acknowledged as an honorary lifetime member, despite being subjected to fines due to his LIV involvement. He expressed his commitment to stay active on the European circuit. “I’m not going to allow that to deter me from showing support and playing on this tour,” he affirmed.

World Ranking Implications

Following his win in Dubai, Reed is poised to return to the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Prior to this victory, he had fallen outside the top 125 but made significant returns, including a solo third finish at the Masters and a tie for third at the BMW PGA.

Possible Return to PGA Tour

If Reed’s negotiations with LIV do not pan out, he envisions returning to the PGA Tour through the DP World Tour. Notably, Brooks Koepka recently marked his return to the PGA Tour via the Returning Member Program after meeting the criteria set for major winners since 2022. Unfortunately, Reed does not meet this requirement as his Masters win was in 2018.

Reed concluded, “Good golf takes care of itself.” He remains optimistic about his performance, indicating that success on the course could open doors for him, especially if he focuses on securing a top 10 spot in the Race to Dubai. This could facilitate his path back to the PGA Tour.