Patrick Reed outlines plans to return to PGA Tour

Patrick Reed has revealed he may not be teeing it up with LIV Golf this year. 

The former Masters champion, 35, controversially quit the PGA Tour for the PIF-backed league in 2022. 

Reed has won one individual title on the breakaway tour over four seasons and is expected to be playing alongside Dustin Johnson with the 4 Aces this year. 

But the American told reporters on Sunday after cruising to a four-shot victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic that he is yet to sign a contract extension. 

LIV Golf's season begins on 4 February in Riyadh. 

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka quit LIV Golf in December and has already been reinstated to the PGA Tour under a new scheme. 

The "returning members programme" closes on 2 February - two days before LIV's season begins - and is only open to Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. 

All three golfers have said they aren't going anywhere. 

Reed told Telegraph Sport at the beginning of the week he, too, would consider quitting LIV if he was offered the same terms as Koepka. 

The former United States Ryder Cup star said he would be "very surprised" if he wasn't in Saudi Arabia for the curtain-raiser with LIV. 

But in the scenario that he isn't, he plans to spend the rest of 2026 playing on the DP World Tour with hopes of being one of the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai rankings. 

That, hypothetically, would allow Reed to return to the PGA Tour.

Whether or not he would be allowed back in that scenario remains to be seen, given new PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp indicated Koepka's return was essentially a "one-time offer".  

"We're still finalising the contract," Reed told reporters at Emirates Golf Club. "We're not complete on that yet."

A reporter asked: "So you're a free agent?"

Reed said: "he moment, yes, sir.

"It's one of those things that I don't like to talk business and stuff while I'm playing, and so it's like Monday through Wednesday is the only time to really talk about it," Reed said. 

Reed said his team are currently negotiating and extension. 

"And so, it's just kind of one of those things that, you know, getting here this week, I knew that once Thursday got here, [I] just [wanted to] focus on golf and golf only. 

"You know, starting tonight and tomorrow, we'll get back to talking and things like that."

The aforementioned DeChambeau is understood to be asking for a staggering $500m to stay with LIV. 

Two weeks ago, he posted a picture on his Instagram posing next to an exit sign.

"What would you do?" he asked. 

Some have suggested DeChambeau is simply attempting to extract more dollars from LIV's financiers. 

Reed was told by one reporter that his Rolex Series victory wasn't a bad bargaining tool. 

"It's an amazing win," he smiled, refusing to be drawn in. "The trophy is heavier than I thought."

Reed claimed his situation was not entirely about money. 

"I mean, it's just one of those things with contracts and stuff," Reed said.  

"There's a lot of language and wording in contracts and everything, and really, at this point, I mean, I don't know where everything stands. 

"I mean, everything could have been done and complete. I mean, I haven't talked to my team these past couple days. 

"It's been an odd time, obviously, back home compared to me being here.

"My team's always very good about allowing me to focus on golf, especially during the tournament, once the tournament starts."

Reed added: "Yeah, I mean, it all just kind of depends. I'm pretty sure I'll talk to them either tonight or tomorrow morning and see where everything stands and everything.

"But yeah, at the moment right now, it's just kind of enjoy this win and kind of get ready for next week."