Scottie Scheffler has shared his excitement after Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed confirmed their departures from LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season.
It’s been a promising winter for the PGA Tour. Back in December, LIV Golf revealed that Koepka would be leaving before the final year of his contract.
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Koepka was given a path back to the PGA Tour through the Returning Member Program, and he wasn’t the only major winner to move on from LIV before play resumed.
Scottie Scheffler shares thoughts on Koepka and Reed’s exit from LIV Golf
Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
Patrick Reed also made the decision to move on. He’s expected to spend most of this year playing on the DP World Tour as he works towards earning a full PGA Tour card for 2027.
The early indications suggest that he’ll have the chance to play a full schedule in the States next season.
And speaking about the pair ahead of the WM Phoenix Open this week, Scottie Scheffler insisted that it is good news to have the pair back in the fold.
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“When you look at a lot of the discussions we’ve had and when you look at what a lot of fans are saying, I think people want the best people playing together again. So when it comes to great players like Brooks or Patrick Reed, Patrick Reed is a major champion and I think Brooks Koepka has won five majors, so having those guys competing out here is great for the tour, great for fans, and great for our sponsors,” he said.
“I think the last few years there has just been a lot of noise, and so I think getting those guys back is another step towards us just being able to play golf again.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to most.”
How Koepka and Reed have fared since leaving LIV
It would obviously be a major lift for the PGA Tour if both players can contend in 2026. The pair have six major wins between them.
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Koepka was never known for racking up victories, instead coming into his own during golf’s biggest events. But his return hasn’t started strongly. He finished tied for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Reed, meanwhile, found immediate success by winning the Dubai Desert Classic just before his departure from LIV became official.
LIV had expected him to sign a new contract, but instead he chose to move on. Recently, he reached a playoff in Bahrain and is already up to second place in the Race to Dubai standings.
Given how well he’s playing, it wouldn’t be surprising if another win came sooner rather than later.
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