The three-time DP World Tour winner becomes France’s first LIV Golf recruit, withdrawing from final PGA Tour event to join Cleeks GC for 2026 season.
WASHINGTON – French golfer Victor Perez has made a decisive career move, becoming the first player from France to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. The 33-year-old announced his switch on Tuesday after withdrawing from this week’s RSM Classic, his final opportunity to secure full PGA Tour playing rights for 2026.
Perez, ranked 120th in the world, was facing uncertainty about his PGA Tour future. Sitting at 108th in the fall standings, he needed a strong performance at Sea Island Golf Club to break into the top 100 and maintain his card. Instead, he opted to join LIV Golf’s Cleeks GC team, a move that automatically renders him ineligible for PGA Tour events under the tour’s ban imposed since LIV’s 2022 launch.
The three-time DP World Tour winner, whose most recent victory came at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Championship, will make his LIV Golf debut in Riyadh this February.
“LIV Golf’s innovation and energy are driving it forward,” Perez said in a statement. “I’m excited to be part of that momentum and can’t wait to get started in Riyadh.”
Perez’s best PGA Tour finish was a tie for ninth at June’s Canadian Open. His departure marks another significant recruitment for LIV Golf as it continues to attract international talent ahead of its 2026 season.
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