The PGA Tour continues to navigate the complex fallout from the emergence of LIV Golf, and a growing number of players who initially defected are now seeking a return. Patrick Reed officially announced his departure from LIV Golf last week, paving the way for a reinstatement to the PGA Tour, and he isn’t alone. Pat Perez, Kevin Na, and Hudson Swafford have also reportedly applied to have their PGA Tour memberships reinstated, according to ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti.
Perez recently discussed his decision to join LIV Golf and his subsequent return to the PGA Tour during an appearance on the “Subpar” podcast, hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. He described the initial allure of LIV as a solution to a career plateau, admitting he wasn’t sure he’d be able to maintain his competitive edge on the PGA Tour as he approached the Champions Tour. “I was 46, trying to get to the Champions Tour and I just didn’t know if I was going to make it all there,” Perez explained. “LIV was actually phenomenal. I had a blast. We traveled around, being with DJ was great; playing with him and Brooks and Bryson and those guys was fun, but I don’t know, I don’t know if I would have done it again.”
The decision to join LIV wasn’t solely financial, Perez clarified, but a recognition that aligning with the new league meant severing ties with the PGA Tour. “I knew if I did it, Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour were not joking around when they said you are gone,” he said. He acknowledged the significant travel demands of the LIV format – “It’s a lot of travel…some trips are 30 hours” – but also emphasized the high level of care and enjoyment he experienced while competing on the LIV circuit.
Perez’s reinstatement to the PGA Tour came in January , and he is currently serving a disciplinary action that will keep him from PGA Tour-sanctioned competition until . In the interim, he plans to compete in three senior major championships this summer, events not governed by the PGA Tour, and explore opportunities on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour. He anticipates a full-time schedule on the PGA Tour Champions beginning in .
The return of Perez, Reed, Na, and Swafford comes after Brooks Koepka’s successful reintegration into the PGA Tour earlier this year. Koepka played at Torrey Pines last week and is currently competing in Phoenix, signaling a shift in the PGA Tour’s stance towards LIV defectors. The PGA Tour created a Returning Member Program to facilitate the process, though stipulations remain for those seeking to rejoin.
The situation highlights the evolving dynamics between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Initially, the PGA Tour took a firm stance against players who joined LIV, suspending them and threatening further disciplinary action. However, the recent wave of returning players suggests a softening of that position, potentially driven by legal pressures and a desire to regain some of the star power lost to the rival league. The PGA Tour’s decision to allow LIV players to return, albeit with conditions, represents a significant development in the ongoing saga.
While Perez expressed enjoyment during his time with LIV Golf, his comments suggest a longing for the structure and tradition of the PGA Tour. His return, along with those of Reed, Na, and Swafford, underscores the complexities of the situation and the individual motivations driving players’ decisions. The future of professional golf remains uncertain, but the recent developments indicate a potential path towards reconciliation, or at least a more fluid relationship, between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
The influx of returning players raises questions about the long-term impact on the PGA Tour. Will their reintegration be seamless? Will fans embrace their return? And what message does this send to players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour throughout the LIV controversy? These are questions that will likely be debated as the season progresses and more players potentially consider a return to the PGA Tour.
Perez’s story, in particular, offers a nuanced perspective on the LIV experience. He didn’t portray it as a purely negative one, acknowledging the benefits and enjoyment he derived from the league. However, his ultimate decision to seek reinstatement with the PGA Tour suggests that the allure of the traditional tour, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level for years to come, proved too strong to resist.
