Three-time DP World Tour champion becomes France’s inaugural LIV Golf recruit, abandoning crucial PGA Tour event that would have determined his 2026 playing status.
WASHINGTON – In a move that reshapes his professional trajectory, French golfer Victor Perez has become the nation’s first competitor to join the LIV Golf League, announcing his commitment Tuesday after withdrawing from what would have been his final PGA Tour appearance of the season.
The 33-year-old Perez abandoned his spot in this week’s RSM Classic in Georgia—a crucial tournament where he needed to improve his standing to maintain full PGA Tour playing privileges for 2026. Instead, he accepted a position with LIV’s Cleeks GC team, effectively ending his PGA Tour eligibility under the tour’s ongoing ban on LIV participants.
Perez, currently ranked 120th worldwide, had been positioned at 108th in the PGA Tour’s fall standings, requiring a top-100 finish to secure his card. His decision to join the rival league represents a significant career pivot toward the Saudi-backed circuit.
“I’m excited to be part of that momentum and can’t wait to get started in Riyadh,” said Perez, who will make his LIV debut in February. The three-time DP World Tour winner, including a 2023 victory in Abu Dhabi, described LIV Golf as showcasing “innovation and energy” that’s “driving it forward.”
The Frenchman’s best PGA Tour performance was a tie for ninth at this year’s Canadian Open. His transition to LIV continues the league’s pattern of recruiting international talent during professional golf’s ongoing division.
