Fresh off his first career-series win at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Patrick Reed surprised the media when he revealed in his post-tournament news conference that he's not currently signed to LIV Golf for 2026.
Reed, who played the entire week in the garb of his LIV Golf team, the 4 Aces, has not signed an agreement to play for the Saudi-owned league, whose season begins in their capital, Riyadh, in the first week of February.
"We're still finalising the contract. We're not complete on that yet," Reed said.
Reed used careful language in several interviews this week, saying he is "supposed to" be playing in that season-opening LIV Golf event. That was by design.
"It's one of those things that I don't like to talk business and stuff while I'm playing, and so it's like Monday through Wednesday is the only time to really talk about it," Reed explained. "And so, it's just kind of one of those things that, you know, getting here this week, I knew that once Thursday got here, just focus on golf and golf only. You know, starting tonight and tomorrow, we'll get back to talking and things like that.
"But really, the biggest thing for me right now is just go out and play well this week. Obviously got the win."
Reed laughed when a media member suggested winning his first Rolex Series event was a bargaining chip in whatever stage of negotiations Reed is in with LIV Golf. While Reed did say earlier this week that he would entertain returning to the PGA Tour were he invited to return, he said Sunday that he isn't currently talking to the PGA Tour about a return.
The 2018 Masters champion does seem confident that he'll return to LIV Golf.
"Really just all kind of depends on everything," Reed said. "I mean, I haven't talked to the team back home or anything like that. But at the moment, I plan on teeing it up there in Riyadh, and I'd be surprised if we're not."
