Former LIV Golf pro shocked by PGA Tour return: "Didn't think there'd be a path back"

Former LIV Golf pro Pat Perez says he is delighted to have found a route back to PGA Tour competition, admitting he never expected the opportunity to return would arise.

The American joined the breakaway league in 2022 at the age of 46 after spending more than two decades competing on the PGA Tour. 

Perez became one of LIV's early signings, linking up with Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces side after reportedly agreeing a two-year deal worth $10m. 

Whilst Perez did enjoy some success with LIV, such as winning the team championship in their inaugural campaign, his stint with the renegade tour was often defined by his involvement in the wider dispute in the men's game. 

Perez was among 11 players who filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour to challenge the suspensions issued to those who had joined LIV Golf.

He withdrew his name from the litigation two weeks after it was filed, admitting that he didn't fully think through his decision and he just wanted to express solidarity with the other LIV players. 

Despite stepping away from the lawsuit, Perez remained one of LIV's most vocal supporters and continued to criticise PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. 

He also attracted significant attention during LIV Golf's launch period after wearing a shirt covered in dollar-bill prints at a pre-tournament event. 

The outfit became one of the defining images of LIV's controversial debut, with critics arguing it highlighted the perception that players had been motivated primarily by financial incentives.

Perez’s playing career with LIV ended after the 2024 season when he lost his place on the 4Aces roster. 

Rather than immediately pursuing another playing opportunity, he stepped away from competitive golf and moved into broadcasting, joining LIV’s coverage team as an on-course commentator and analyst in 2025.

He decided that he wanted to return to the PGA Tour, though, and asked to be reinstated. 

Perez was given the green light but is being made to wait until 1 January 2027 before he can tee up again. 

Now 50, Perez will be playing on the PGA Tour Champions. 

He has played in the three senior major championships this season and told reporters last week at the Senior Open at Gleneagles that it's "so nice to be back". 

"I didn’t think there was ever going to be a path for me to get back," he said. 

Perez said his time away from competition was frustrating. 

He added: "It's so fun to be back out here and playing again, and I'm really excited. 

"The courses aren't as long so I’m able to get in spots that I haven't been in a long time.

“I've been grinding. I've been playing a lot at home. But every day is like a new day.

"Like I can't wait to get into a groove next year, but it's really been fun."

Which former LIV Golf players are returning to the PGA Tour?

Several former LIV Golf players have either returned to PGA Tour competition, been reinstated or are pursuing a route back. 

Brooks Koepka became the first major champion to quit LIV Golf in December 2025 and was fast-tracked back onto the PGA Tour via a hastily-enacted returning member programme. 

The initiative left the door ajar for Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to return but all three turned down the offer. 

Kevin Na, Hudson Swafford and Patrick Reed have also had their PGA Tour memberships reinstated.