Pat Perez’s perfectly crafted plan has fallen apart. He joined LIV Golf in 2022, played for three years in the Saudi league, left in 2024 after earning more than 21 million dollars despite his performance not being particularly outstanding, worked as a television commentator for LIV tournaments in 2025, and now, in 2026, he had the firm intention of competing in the PGA Tour Champions, as he turns 50 next March. Everything had fallen into place perfectly. In fact, he welcomed the New Year on social media with a PGA Tour mug.
However, the puzzle has been blown apart by a circumstance he hadn’t considered, which has now become a serious precedent or warning to others. Perez thought he had a one-year suspension from any PGA Tour event since the last tournament he played in LIV Golf back in 2024. That is, he thought he wouldn’t have any issues joining the Champions, as he meets many of the requirements to be a member as a multiple PGA Tour champion. But that’s not the case. The PGA Tour has told him he will have to wait at least until the end of August this year.
The explanation is that the PGA Tour considers working as a commentator for LIV Golf as a reason for sanction. A source from the American circuit confirmed this to the publication Today’s Golfer: Broadcasting LIV is considered “promotion and association with an unauthorised event,” which is prohibited under PGA Tour regulations. “The non-member player who participates in an unauthorised event will be subject to the Non-Member Policy, which prohibits playing PGA Tour tournaments for a year from the date of participation in an unauthorised event,” the policy states. “The promotion of and association with an unauthorised event is considered participation in the event for the purposes of this regulation. If players seek to reinstate their membership in the future, they would be subject to disciplinary measures for violations committed as members and for any violation of the Non-Member Policy.” In other words, commentating on tournaments is the same as playing in terms of sanctions.
Pat Perez himself confirmed the punishment with some bewilderment. “They actually want me for doing television,” he said, “which makes no sense because I’m not yet in the Champions Tour. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what you do until you turn 50. I’ve been 21 years on the PGA Tour. I meet many requirements that automatically get me into the Champions Tour. I don’t know how I can be banned for talking about golf, no matter what league or circuit it is.”
Pat Perez may not understand it, but the regulations make it clear. After all, television broadcasting is the most direct way to promote a circuit. Jon Rahm expressed his opinion on the matter on the Subpar podcast and didn’t hold back: “That’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m sorry, the fact that the same punishment applies for broadcasting… I won’t say much more about that, but it’s a bit ridiculous.”
As it stands, Pat Perez will have to wait until the end of August or early September to play in the PGA Tour Champions. The first he could play is The Ally Challenge, from 28 to 30 August. Perez had mentioned that this year he was no longer going to commentate on LIV Golf tournaments because he wanted to focus on playing the PGA Tour Champions. He will have to wait a bit longer than he thought.
