Riyadh Golf Club Highlights Patrick Reed’s LIV Golf Journey
Riyadh Golf Club Shines Spotlight on Patrick Reed’s LIV Golf Journey
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – It’s been quite the wild ride for Patrick Reed as he navigates his career two-and-a-half years into the LIV Golf League. Despite the ups and downs, one thing stands clear: this former Masters champion isn’t ready to step off the green just yet. You can find him teeing off anywhere and everywhere, as he juggles memberships across the DP World Tour, the Asian Tour, and his commitment to the Saudi-backed LIV circuit.
The Frustrations of Exclusion
Even with a proven track record, including nine wins on the PGA Tour, Reed is feeling the heat of his choice to join LIV Golf—especially as it bars him from competing on the PGA Tour. That’s not sitting well with the 34-year-old golfer. He argues that fulfilling the minimum requirements for any tour should grant a player the freedom to compete wherever they choose. As he puts it, “The minimum on the PGA Tour is 15 events. Add another 14 on LIV and the majors on top of that. That’s a lot of golf!”
According to Reed, if a player can juggle all these events and still keep their cards, they should be free to play. He’s passionate about fairness in the sport, especially when it comes to meeting the obligations of various tours. “If you don’t meet your minimums, that’s the time to hit him hard with fines and suspensions,” he insists. “You’re taking a spot away from someone else.”
Tightrope Walking Between Tours
Reed’s statements have raised eyebrows, particularly since he just made the decision to re-join the DP World Tour, where he holds honorary lifetime membership. But there’s a catch. He’s bound by a contract to participate in every LIV event next year, which makes hitting that minimum of four events in Europe a tad difficult. On top of that, competing in other tournaments can lead to fines from the DP World Tour, which complicates matters.
But does he seem bothered by it? Not in the least. Reed insists he’s just giving back to the tour that welcomed him. “I’ve paid my fines as they came in,” he claims. He’s feeling confident, stating that he plans to continue his support for the DP World Tour as long as he feels the love from them. Reed’s loyalty seems clear, having even traveled to Europe during the pandemic when he could have just as easily stayed back in the States.
Regrets and Looking Ahead
It’s no secret that Reed misses certain aspects of his past, especially the majors and the Ryder Cup. He hasn’t been able to compete in the last two majors and admits that the Ryder Cup experience holds significant weight for him. “Missing majors has been tough,” he shares. “It’s weird. I played well enough in limited events but it’s frustrating to not qualify for finals.”
As for the Ryder Cup, Reed has made it clear that representing his country means everything to him. He’s hoping to compete in the upcoming event at Bethpage, a course where he has a history of success. “I feel like if I continue to play well, [American Ryder Cup captain] Keegan [Bradley] might take notice,” he adds hopefully.
Ready to Adapt
However, to earn that coveted spot on Team USA again, Reed knows he’ll need to make some adjustments. Reflecting on his early-season struggles, he admits that the long offseason took him by surprise, and getting back into the groove of competition wasn’t easy. “I always wanted an off-season, just not a three-month-long one,” he laughs. “It made it tough to focus.”
Despite finishing well at the Hong Kong Open and showing promise at the ongoing Riyadh Golf Club event, Reed is still working on finding that sweet spot in his tournament participation. As he looks to the future, he stands firm: he wants to play—and he’s determined to do just that.
With so many challenges ahead, it’s clear that Reed’s journey in the golfing world is just beginning. He’s ready to tackle whatever comes his way and maybe, just maybe, make a strong comeback. Golf fans everywhere are certainly eager to see what the future holds for this talented player!