Patrick Reed Insists Jon Rahm Must Earn PGA Tour Return Through Standard Qualifying

Patrick Reed has made his position unmistakably clear on the potential return of Jon Rahm to the PGA Tour.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship, the 2018 Masters champion stated that players should earn their way back through competition rather than receiving special deals.

"That's a hard question," Reed said when asked if Rahm should be allowed to return without serving a one-year suspension.

"I definitely feel like it's something that they are going to be looking into. How they do it is up to them. But I've always been a firm believer that if you've earned the right to play, and you qualify, you can play anywhere."

The statement comes as Rahm considers his options after leaving LIV Golf, where he spent three seasons before deciding not to join the Saudi-backed league's new project for 2027.

Rahm has confirmed that he will not be playing on LIV Golf next year.

He is now planning to compete on the DP World Tour for the upcoming season.

However, the 31-year-old Spaniard has not completely ruled out returning to the PGA Tour, where he enjoyed significant success before leaving in December 2023.

Rahm won the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters during his time on the American tour.

Reed's stance carries particular weight because he recently completed his own journey back to the PGA Tour.

After departing LIV Golf in August 2025, he served a suspension before returning to competition on the DP World Tour.

He climbed to number two in the standings and earned his PGA Tour card for the 2027 season without any special exemption.

His experience demonstrates that it is possible to return through standard competitive pathways.

Reed acknowledged that the decision about Rahm's future is complex but reiterated his long-held belief that merit should determine eligibility.

"Obviously with Jon's resumé and everything, it's one of those that obviously his team is going to be talking about the PGA Tour," Reed added.

"I've always enjoyed playing with Jon. I've always been a firm believer that if you earned the right to play somewhere, you can go and play. We'll just have to wait and see."

The conversation about Rahm's future has gained urgency because the Spanish star has not yet secured a spot for the 2027 season.

Rahm has indicated that he would prefer to play on the PGA Tour, but he admits that no official discussions have taken place yet.

The dynamic between these two major champions highlights the ongoing tension between the PGA Tour and the players who previously joined the Saudi-backed league.

Reed's comments come amid broader debate about how the PGA Tour should handle players returning from LIV Golf.

The PGA Tour introduced the Returning Member Program earlier this year to enable Brooks Koepka to come back following his own departure from LIV.

Koepka accepted several financial and competitive conditions, including a $5 million charitable contribution and restrictions on certain PGA Tour benefits.

The offer was also extended to Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith, and Jon Rahm.

However, the trio ended up staying put with LIV Golf at that time.

Rahm was offered an opportunity to return through the same program in January 2026 but rejected it and remained with LIV for the rest of the season.

His position has now changed, and he is exploring options for 2027.

More recently, PGA Tour executive Brian Rolapp has suggested that the tour has no plans to open up that pathway again.

Taylor Zarzour, a golf commentator speaking on the 5 Clubs podcast on Wednesday, suggested that the PGA Tour should resist the temptation to bring Rahm back immediately.

"I think it's up to him," Zarzour said.

"I think if he goes to Ponte Vedra and sits down with Brian Rolapp and he shows that he absolutely has to be on the PGA Tour in 2027, I would imagine they might carve out a possible path for him. It probably would be even more penal than what Brooks Koepka had this past year."

Zarzour added that he would prefer to see Rahm spend the 2027 season on the DP World Tour alongside other former LIV players like Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Tom McKibbin.