PGA Tour reinstates another ex-LIV pro (but not who you think)

On Tuesday during the captains’ press conference promoting the 2026 LIV Golf season, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith declined standing offers to rejoin the PGA Tour (at least for now).

While that muted speculation about whether any of those star players would follow Brooks Koepka back to the Tour via the new Returning Member Program, another former LIV pro made the leap, albeit via a very different path.

That player is Pat Perez.

Pat Perez returned to the PGA Tour… but can’t play

Perez, who turns 50 in March, has three PGA Tour victories over the course of a long career. His most recent victory came at the 2017 CIMB Classic.

But in mid-2022, Perez left the Tour for LIV Golf. He joined Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team, winning a team title (and a hefty bonus) in 2022. Perez struggled in 2024 and lost his spot in LIV. But only as a player. In 2025 he acted as a race reporter at LIV events.

The PGA Tour is on Tuesday attached to Sports illustrated that Perez has been reinstated as a PGA Tour member, although he is ineligible to play in “affiliated” tournaments for the time being.

“At his request, Pat Perez became a member again, but he is not currently eligible to participate in PGA Tour affiliated tournaments,” the Tour statement said.

In the eyes of the PGA Tour, Perez’s LIV TV duties were no different than playing on LIV, so Perez faces fines and a suspension from Tour events. And because he didn’t win a major from 2022-2025, like Koepka did, he’s not eligible for the Returning Member Program.

“Players who are ineligible for the Returning Member Program may only be reinstated in accordance with the non-member policy and any applicable disciplinary procedures.”

In other words, Perez, who has plans to play on the PGA Tour Champions after his 50th birthday, won’t be able to play like Koepka right away. Unfortunately, we do not know what specific penalties or playing restrictions Perez will face. That’s because the Tour’s statement on Perez’s return also said “the PGA Tour does not comment on disciplinary matters.”

Of course, that came just one day after PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp extensively commented on Koepka’s disciplinary actions.

Bryson DeChambeau is turning down the PGA Tour offer… for now

The big question after Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour was announced was whether other LIV star players would take up the Returning Member Program offer. The offer is only available to DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith.

DeChambeau is by far the biggest star to play LIV Golf. The source of his immense popularity extends beyond his two US Open victories and viral YouTube hijacks. Whether they love him or hate him, golf fans want to see DeChambeau play.

If he were to jump back to the Tour it would be a devastating blow to LIV. DeChambeau had a little fun with things earlier on Tuesday, when he posted a photo of himself on Instagram standing next to an Exit sign with a cryptic message that read, “What would you do?”

But when asked about it at his LIV press conference, DeChambeau confirmed he would remain at LIV Golf this season, though it wasn’t exactly a resounding confirmation of a long LIV future.

“I mean, look, I’m under contract through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” he said Tuesday.

The enrollment period for the Tour’s Returning Player program ends February 2, 2026 and is intended as a one-time offer. We’ll see if that changes when DeChambeau’s contract expires next year.