Patrick Reed, an American golfer, caused mixed reactions after joining LIV Golf.
Few people expected that so many players would join the Saudi project and leave the PGA Tour.
However, a few years later the situation on the golf scene is changing and it seems that most are now aiming for a return to the PGA Tour.
After Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour, there was a lot of speculation about who could be the next LIV golfer to return.
Although Patrick Reed wants to return, the latest rules prevent him from doing so, as the Returning Members program allows only players who have won The Players Championship or a Major tournament from 2022 to 2025 to return.
The famous golfer emphasized that he enjoyed playing on the PGA Tour and that he sees himself competing on the PGA Tour again.
"It's not really a decision for me at the moment,"- he said, as quoted by Golf Magic.
"I mean, that was for players [who won majors from] 2022 and on. [But] I definitely would have to think about it, if that number was [taken] down to 2018."
Asked if he would like to play on the PGA Tour again, he said:
"Of course.
I mean, if it's up to me, I'd play everywhere. I'm already playing on three tours, so why not add one more?"
A large number of golfers have emphasized that playing on the PGA is a matter of prestige and honor, and that it provides the best foundations for success.
However, LIV golfers accepted the huge amounts of money and decided to join the rival tour.
"I always enjoyed my time out there on the PGA Tour.
I mean, let's be honest, it's the best tour in the world. Look at what they’ve done in golf.
You know, I could see myself playing there at some point again.
I mean… you just never know. Everything's so fluid, everything's discombobulated in golf.
But at the end of the day, whatever my name's called, I'm going to show up and play and, you know, try to play the best and not only represent myself, but my family, and also whatever my team [is]."
Public reactions
His statements caused mixed reactions; while some believe that the American is sincere, others believe that he has failed the PGA in the past and that such statements are hypocritical.
Either way, it remains to be seen what the future holds and whether we will actually see Patrick Reed return to the prestigious tour.
