2025 US Open champion JJ Spaun took a subtle jibe at the LIV Golf after Patrick Reed returned to play on the PGA Tour. Earlier this month, it was announced that five-time major winner Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour through its “Returning Member Program,” and on Wednesday, Reed released a statement on his Instagram saying that he is leaving LIV Golf to play on the Tour.
This week, the PGA Tour players are preparing to tee off at the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open, and at a pre-tournament press conference held on Wednesday, Spaun was asked about the return of the LIV golfers. In response, he said:
“I think people want to be on the PGA TOUR. It’s the best Tour in the world, the most competitive Tour. I think Patrick will be a good asset to this Tour and I think it just speaks volumes to where the Tour’s headed. I think to add even more competition for us that have been here while they left, and, you know, adding Brooks and Patrick now, it’s just strengthening our Tour, which I think is great.”
Notably, Koepka will return to play on the Tour this week at the Farmers Insurance Open, while Reed will have to wait until the fall season to rejoin the circuit.
Meanwhile, JJ Spaun had a fantastic time playing on the PGA Tour in 2025. He won the US Open and had some notable finishes, such as T3 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T2 at the Cognizant Classic, runner-up at the Players Championship, and FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Patrick Reed Opens Up About His PGA Tour Return
Patrick Reed has applied for PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season as the former winner of the circuit. He shared a post on his Instagram on Wednesday with a long caption in which he talked about his excitement to play on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
“I am excited to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR as a past champion member for the 2027 season and am eligible to begin competing in PGA TOUR events later this year. I will continue to compete and play as an Honorary Lifetime Member on the DP World Tour, which is something that I am truly honored and excited to do,” he wrote.
Notably, Patrick Reed will be eligible to play on the Tour on August 25, 2026, one year after he played his last LIV Golf event. Meanwhile, he would be playing in the DP World Tour events.
Reed can also regain his PGA Tour membership through the Race to Dubai standings. He currently sits in second place in the standings after winning last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
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