Patrick Reed’s LIV Golf Journey: Trials and Triumphs

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—Patrick Reed’s LIV Golf Journey Takes New Twists

Can you believe it? It’s been over two years since Patrick Reed jumped ship to join the LIV Golf League, and he’s still hungry to play anywhere he can! That’s right! The former Masters champion, who has made quite a name for himself with nine wins on the PGA Tour, is officially sidelined from competing on that tour due to his choice to accept LIV’s eye-popping offer.

Frustration on the Fairway

At 34 years old, Reed hasn’t been shy about expressing his irritation over his exclusion. According to him, as long as a player meets the minimum requirements, they should have the liberty to swing their clubs wherever they like. Reed points out, “The minimum on the PGA Tour is 15 events. If someone is willing to juggle both tours, along with the majors, and plays well enough to keep their cards, they should be good to go.”

He’s not all about letting everyone off the hook, though! Reed firmly believes that players who fail to meet the tour standards should face severe penalties. “You can’t just take up space that someone else could fill,” he insists. When asked what kind of penalties he’d like to see, his answer is quite direct: “Hit them with massive fines or suspensions. A $1 million fine or something! If you choose to play, then you need to stick to your commitments.

Life as an Honorary Member

So, here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Reed is looking to re-join the DP World Tour, where he enjoys honorary lifetime membership. But considering he has to play in all LIV events next year, he’s got a tight rope to walk. His aim to fulfill the criteria for European membership, which requires four events, is looking challenging. On top of that, any time he participates in a competing tournament, he faces potential fines!

Yet, Reed appears pretty unfazed by the potential for trouble. He is genuinely thankful for the warm reception he’s always felt on the DP World Tour, stating, “I’ve always shown support for them, even when I could’ve easily stayed put in the States during COVID.”

Reed’s Future Aspirations

Looking towards the future, Reed has admitted to missing key events—especially the majors and the Ryder Cup. He recalls how tough it’s been to miss out on representing his country. “It’s a big deal to play for the U.S.,” he shares, adding that he’d love the chance to strut his stuff at Bethpage next year. “I have history there, and I believe I could do well.”

To reclaim his spot among the best, Reed understands he may need to shift gears. This season, he struggled initially with his play on LIV. Out of 13 starts, he didn’t score any higher than a T-3 finish. Nevertheless, things might be changing! Just recently, he brought home the title at the Hong Kong Open, standing tall with a remarkable round of 59. It’s a solid sign that he’s found his groove again!

The Balancing Act

As a father of two, Reed is all about navigating his commitments. “I’ve always wanted to play a bit less,” he admits, “and I thought I could manage my schedule better this year. But having a long off-season was unexpected.” Balancing his time on and off the course has proven to be quite the challenge for the golfer.

“I felt flat and out of sorts at the start of this season, even when I knew I was doing a lot of things right,” he admits. The path he’s on might be a winding one, but Reed is determined to stay in the game he loves and make the most of it. The golf world is watching, and we can only wonder what is next for this dynamic player!