‘It’s so nice to be back’: Suspended ex-LIV pro shines (again) at Senior Open

When Pat Perez elected to join LIV Golf back in 2022, he didn’t think he’d ever have a chance to play PGA Tour-sanctioned events again. But with only a few months left on his Tour suspension, the now-former LIV Golf pro is eyeing a future career on the PGA Tour Champions.

However, Perez isn’t waiting until his suspension is up to make some noise on the Senior Circuit.

At this week’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open Championship, Perez is not only in the field — he’s in contention. And it’s not the first time Perez has been in the mix at a senior major this season.

Suspended Pat Perez making noise again at senior major

While Perez, a three-time PGA Tour winner, joined LIV Golf in 2022, his time there was short-lived. Perez was relegated following the 2024 season, after which he decided to quit golf. He acted as an on-course reporter at LIV events in 2025.

But in a surprise move in January of 2026, Perez requested to be reinstated as a PGA Tour member, which kicked off a one-year suspension from PGA Tour-sanctioned events. On January 1, 2027, Perez will be eligible to play on Tour again.

Perez doesn’t have a PGA Tour comeback in his sights. Now 50 years old, he instead envisions a career on the PGA Tour Champions.

News

PGA Tour reinstates another ex-LIV pro (but not who you think)

By: Kevin Cunningham

While he waits out his suspension, he was permitted to play in a few senior majors in 2026. And if his early results are a sign, Perez has a promising senior career ahead of him.

He tied for fifth at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship in April, then earned a T8 at the U.S. 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 the Friday course setup was “a little suspect” due to “crazy pins.” He also admitted to never having played “links golf” well.

In Round 3, though, everything changed. Perez fired a 67 to move into a tie for sixth heading into Sunday’s final round. (UPDATE: Perez shot a 73 in Round 4 to finish T21, while Jerry Kelly earned a two-shot victory.)

Perez on PGA Tour Champions future: ‘I didn’t think there was ever going to be a path for me to get back’

After his round, Perez revealed he didn’t ever think he’d get the opportunity to play these events.

“I’ve played three majors this year. It’s so nice to be back. I didn’t think there was ever going to be a path for me to get back,” Perez told reporters Saturday night. “It was frustrating, it’s so fun to be back out here and playing again, and I’m really excited. I can’t explain — I’ve been playing well. The courses aren’t as long so I’m able to get in spots that I haven’t been in a long time.”

As for links golf, Perez said he was coming around to it after seeing some success this week.

“I’m enjoying it and 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 hitting it where I need to and just trying to plot around and thinking a little bit different, maybe. It’s fun. This kind of golf here, I’ve never really figured out how to do it,” he said.

He even gave a shoutout to Nick Faldo’s viral criticism of Bryson DeChambeau at the 2026 Open Championship.

“Like Faldo said last week, it’s strategy. It’s hard when you don’t really play — I haven’t played over here since Birkdale,” Perez said. “It’s a great course and I’m just having a blast this week and just kind of taking what’s coming.”

Whatever the result of Sunday’s final round, Perez is focused on next year when he’ll get a 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,” Perez said Saturday. “Like I can’t wait to get into a groove next year, but it’s really been fun.”