Victor Pérez is leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2026, citing better planning, team focus, and family balance.
French golf star Victor Pérez has announced his departure from the PGA Tour and will join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League in 2026. He will become part of Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks Golf Club, replacing Danish player Frederik Kjettrup. In an interview with Today’s Golfer, Pérez shared the reasons behind his decision. He is set to make his LIV debut at the Dubai Desert Classic in Riyadh and is already preparing for the transition.
Victor Pérez: “I didn’t know when or where I’d tee off next”
Pérez explained that while he didn’t feel he was underperforming, the constantly shifting qualification criteria on the PGA Tour made planning extremely difficult. With only one top-10 finish and no guarantees of entry into major events, he often had to book flights and accommodations last-minute, all while his wife Abigail cared for their newborn. “I just felt the way the PGA Tour structured events put me at a disadvantage,” he said.
In 2024, Pérez played 28 events across the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, reducing to 25 in 2025. He failed to qualify for the Open Championship or either tour’s playoffs. To retain full PGA Tour status, he needed a top-5 finish in the final fall event to break into the top 100 of the FedEx Cup standings—down from the previous top 125 cutoff. The rule change was another example, he said, of how the system favored top-ranked players and made it harder for others to maintain their status.
Seeking stability and team success with LIV Golf
Pérez believes his consistent playstyle will benefit the team format at LIV, where four scores count. “We saw last year how one underperforming player can impact the whole team,” he said. “My goal is to raise my level and deliver solid results to help the Cleeks succeed.”
He also cited the instability of the PGA Tour, including a CEO change in 2025, as a factor in his decision. Although he discussed his concerns with new CEO Brian Rolapp, he received no assurances about future seasons. This led him to begin talks with LIV and Martin Kaymer’s team.
Family, finances, and the future
Pérez emphasized that the decision wasn’t easy. “Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined giving up my PGA Tour status voluntarily,” he said. “But at this stage in my career, I realized the PGA Tour wasn’t right for me or my family.” While he acknowledges that travel with LIV won’t be easier, the ability to plan ahead and travel with his family tipped the scales.
He also admitted that money played a role. “It would be crazy to say it didn’t,” Pérez