Ex-LIV suspended pro shines (again) at Senior Open: ‘It’s great to be back’
When Pat Perez chose to join LIV Golf in 2022, he didn’t think he would ever have the opportunity to play PGA Tour-sanctioned events again. But with just a few months to go before his Tour suspension, the former LIV Golf player is looking to his future on the PGA Tour Champions.
However, Perez isn’t waiting until his suspension is over to make some noise on the big circuit.
At this week’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open Championship, Perez isn’t just on the court — he’s in contention. And it’s not the first time Perez has been part of the big team this season.
Suspended Pat Perez made another splash in the Major League
While Perez, a three-time PGA Tour winner, joined LIV Golf in 2022, his time there was short-lived. Perez was demoted following the 2024 season, after which he decided to retire from golf. He worked as a continuous reporter at LIV events in 2025.
But surprisingly in January of 2026, Perez requested reinstatement as a member of the PGA Tour, resulting in a one-year suspension from PGA Tour-sanctioned events. On January 1, 2027, Perez will be eligible to play on Tour again.
Perez does not have a PGA Tour return in his sights. Now 50 years old, he is instead looking at a career on the PGA Tour Champions.
While awaiting his suspension, he was cleared to play in several majors through 2026. And if his early results are any indication, Perez has a very promising career ahead of him.
He tied for fifth at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship in April, then finished T8 at the US Senior Open earlier this month at Scioto Country Club.
At this week’s Senior Open at Gleneagles, Perez struggled to a 75 in the second round, saying on Saturday that Friday’s course layout was “a little suspect” because of “crazy pins.” He also admitted that he has never played the “golf links” well.
In Round 3, however, everything changed. Perez shot a 67 to move into a tie for sixth in Sunday’s final round.
Perez on PGA Tour Champions future: ‘I didn’t think there would ever be a way for me to come back’
After his round, Perez revealed that he never thought he would get the chance to play these events.
“I played three Majors this year. It’s great to be back. I didn’t think there would ever be a way for me to go back,” Perez told reporters on Saturday night. “It was frustrating, it’s great to come back here and play again, and I’m so happy, I can’t explain — I’ve been playing well. The courses are not too far away so I can get into places that I haven’t been in for a long time.”
As for links golf, Perez said he’s coming to it after seeing some success this week.
“I’m enjoying it and I’m learning as I go. I can’t explain it. There’s bogeys everywhere. I made a ton yesterday. I don’t know, just kind of hit it where I need to and just try to plan and think differently, maybe. It’s fun. This kind of golf here, I’ve never thought about how to do it,” he said.
He even flagged Nick Faldo’s viral criticism of Bryson DeChambeau at the 2026 Open Championship.
“Like Faldo said last week, it’s a trick. It’s hard if you don’t really play – I haven’t played here since Birkdale,” Perez said. “It’s a good lesson and I’m really happy this week and I’m just taking what’s coming.”
Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s final round, Perez is focused on next year when he will have the chance to play a full season on the PGA Tour Champions.
“I’ve been grinding. I’ve been playing a lot at home. But every day is like a new day,” said Perez on Saturday. “Like I’m looking forward to getting in the trenches next year, but it was really fun.”
