Brooks Koepka’s departure to LIV Golf didn’t surprise many people.
Patrick Reed’s defection, on the other hand, seemed to come out of nowhere.
Reed won the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic and revealed at his winner’s press conference that he was still negotiating his next contract with LIV Golf. Three days later, Reed announced he was leaving LIV and planned to return to the PGA Tour after a suspension.
That Reed’s defection came the same week the PGA Tour welcomed Koepka back as a conquering hero only added to the appearance that the Saudi-backed league was wounded by the loss of two of its biggest names. Already explanation to ESPN about his decision has only further damaged the competitiveness of the escape circuit.
“After I won, I realized how much I missed the grind and the dogfight; that’s who I am,” Reed told ESPN.
As our James Colgan wrote, the loss of Koepka and Reed only highlights the bigger problem facing the Rebel circuit as it begins its fifth season in Riyadh this week. A league that burst onto the scene in 2022 and prioritized brand awareness above all else has now lost two of its headliners, and the fact that Reed suggested the “grind” was different or missing at LIV only made the sting worse.
As LIV Riyadh kicks off this week, Reed’s departure has been a topic of conversation. Golfers still playing under the LIV banner spoke to a new Reed-free reality.
“I think everyone will do what they think is best for them,” Jon Rahm told Reed in Saudi Arabia. “At this point, I just wish him the best of luck. Hopefully it all goes well. We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least, that’s how it should be. And he’s made his choice, obviously. Nothing against him really. He’s played fantastic golf, and if he wants to come back, he should be given the opportunity to do that.”
“We are free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be.”
Rahm, who was eligible to return to the PGA Tour through the “Returning Members Program” that brought back Koepka, will remain at LIV. While Reed was out of contract and Koepka only had one year left on his contract, Rahm joined later and would likely have to forfeit a significant amount of money to break his contract now.
However, Rahm’s desire for true “freedom” to play wherever he wants is not new. It’s something he’s expressed since joining LIV, as he waits for the world of professional golf to unite.
“I hope I can play some of them again in the near future [PGA Tour] events,” Rahm told reporters at LIV Las Vegas in 2024. “I would definitely love to go back and play some of those. If there is ever a way back and a way for us to play, even if it is as an invitation, then I will accept it.”
Rahm’s teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, made a similar comment while being clear about the impact losing a major champion like Reed will have on LIV’s product.
“He was out of contract, he had options and decided that in order to move on, he wanted to go back and play on the PGA Tour. That’s his choice,” Hatton said. “He is a great player. If he was still at LIV he would make the league stronger, but he has chosen his path and you can only wish him the best.”
LIV has big decisions ahead.
Bryson DeChambeau’s contract expires at the end of this year. The Telegraph reported that the two-time US Open champion seeking a contract in the order of $500 million. He has already stated that being a YouTube golfer primarily is a “viable” option. Further down the line, LIV will also have to take Rahm’s into account next contract. LIV needs superstars. Their value to the league has only increased. It needs stars for a path to long-term viability.
The loss of Koepka and Reed was a blow to LIV. The breakout circuit is moving forward, but with a weakened roster missing two of its big names, and with a path back to the PGA Tour now open for anyone willing to try.
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