Patrick Reed may not currently have a clear pathway back to the PGA Tour, but that has not stopped the 2018 Masters champion from suddenly becoming the most talked about free agent in the game right now.

Patrick Reed would not have been able to make his return to the PGA Tour through the recently launched Returning Member Program. However, the 35-year-old has certainly flirted with the idea of leaving LIV Golf of late.

Would you like to see Patrick Reed back on the PGA Tour?

He confirmed he has not yet signed a LIV contract for 2026…

He took the money and ran. Stay there. Was one of my favorite players. He’s no different than a scab crossing a picket line. This Koepka thing is nothing more than a big F. U. to LIV. These traders are now realizing their games have suffered from lack of competition. Honestly, watching LIV is like watching my men’s club on Saturday or Sunday.

Reed lauded the PGA Tour as the best stage in the world. And following his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, he revealed that he has not yet agreed a contract with LIV Golf for the 2026 season.

It could be a negotiating tactic from Reed.

Patrick Reed’s future assessed after his comments about the PGA Tour

It would be embarrassing for LIV if they had to replace him within two weeks of their season opener in Riyadh.

And speaking on Dan on Golf about Reed’s situation, Dan Rapaport suggested that LIV may be in trouble if the PGA Tour do reach out to the American and offer him the chance to come back.

“He’s either an incredible negotiator or he wants to come back really bad. It’s one of those two things,” he said.

“It’s a win-win. He either gets to come back or he gets a bag of cash. I heard he wasn’t at the LIV media day because he hasn’t signed that contract. That was percolating around the grounds early in the week.

“My read on the situation, take it for what it is, is that if they gave him a chance to come back, he would come back.

“I really want him back. I actually really like Patrick, and I know that’s crazy to say in the world of golf right now, but I have my own opinions. But I know a lot of people don’t, and he’s a very rich character. When Reed is on a leaderboard, it’s like there’s a dynamic in here.

“I think one of the things LIV did, especially in that initial wave, they took a lot of the characters away. Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter and Bryson, they took some of these box office guys. And whether you love Reed or you don’t love Reed, he’s box office.”

LIV may have already provided a hint that Reed is going nowhere

Any player who makes the move from LIV back to the PGA Tour is going to attract attention. It has largely been one-way traffic so far, with Brooks Koepka becoming the first big name to head in the opposite direction.

But Reed is someone who attracts attention. The Sports Business Journal noted that Rory McIlroy’s victory last year was the most watched final round of The Masters since Reed’s win at Augusta National in 2018.

Do you think Patrick Reed is treated unfairly by golf fans?

He’s certainly not the most popular player in the game…

Where there is smoke, there is fire. Too many unanswered questions throughout his career. I remember the retired tv commentator from Hawaii saying he personally witnessed three violations on the tour. I put him below Hatton and above Garcia who should never be allowed back in the PGA.

There was a fantastic leaderboard that year with Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth finishing second and third respectively. But Reed also has to take plenty of credit.

While Rapaport heard that Reed was not at the media day, it should be noted that LIV has posted an article that includes an image of the new 4Aces team together.

That would certainly suggest that Reed is expecting to be in the field for Riyadh. But it will be interesting to see whether he bets on himself and opts to only sign a one-year contract with LIV.