Pat Perez, the former LIV pro, is making a strong return at the 2026 Senior Open Championship. After a brief stint with LIV Golf, which ended with a suspension making him ineligible for PGA Tour events until January 2027, Perez aims for a successful career on the PGA Tour Champions. Despite initial struggles with the course layout, he improved with a round of 67, placing him in contention for the final round. Perez expressed excitement about being back in competitive golf and showed promise after solid performances in earlier senior majors this season.

By the Numbers
  • Perez tied for fifth at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship in April.
  • He earned a T8 at the U.S. Senior Open earlier this month.
State of Play
  • Perez is currently tied for sixth heading into the final round of the Senior Open.
  • He previously struggled with links golf but has found success during this tournament.
What's Next

With his PGA Tour suspension ending in January 2027, Perez is preparing for a full season on the PGA Tour Champions. He is looking to build on his experience from the current season into next year.

Bottom Line

Perez's return to competitive golf highlights resilience and adaptability; his performance indicates he could carve out a significant niche in the Senior circuit while preparing for a future on the PGA Tour Champions.