[Photo: Stuart Franklin]
Patrick Reed arrives at Augusta National as one of the game’s hottest players, having won twice on the DP World Tour while adding a T-2 finish. Few venues suit his game better. Since claiming the green jacket in 2018, he has finished T-12 or better five times, including a third-place showing last spring.
Reed should very much factor into this week’s proceedings. But it is his future, along with his recent past, that commanded the conversation Monday.
Two months ago, Reed left LIV Golf with a singular goal: return to the PGA Tour. He secured that return through his hot streak on the DP World Tour, earning one of the 10 cards handed out to top finishers in the Race to Dubai standings. Yet unlike fellow defector Brooks Koepka, whose departure from LIV had been rumoured for some time, Reed’s decision came without warning.
Speaking from the Augusta National press building on Monday, he explained what went into it, and when.
“Yeah, it definitely happened quickly,” Reed said. “But it was one of those where, when I was over there in Dubai and playing, I really just kind of sat back and realised that I wanted to get back, not only to have an opportunity on the PGA Tour, but to return to the traditional way of playing golf.
“When I stood there in Dubai, that Saturday the entire range is full, then guys just start disappearing, and you’re the last man on that tee box. Then you’re walking to the tee, you’re the last name announced, and you’ve lost the lead because someone is 5-under through eight. All those moments and scenarios, going back to playing golf that way, where you’re out there battling not just yourself, but the other guys on the leaderboard.
“For me, I wanted that back. I wanted that adrenaline, those feelings, especially with the way I played those last three weeks.”
Reed said the timing worked in his favour. While LIV’s new season was scheduled to begin, he had not signed a new deal, effectively making him a free agent. He also spoke about wanting to test himself on what he called the best tour in the world.
“I’ve played on every single one of them,” Reed said. “It’s one of those where, from top to bottom, that’s the place I feel is best to go and compete against the top guys year in, year out, week in, week out.”
However, it is not just about competition. Reed also pointed to LIV’s international schedule as a factor that kept him away from family more than he liked.
“My daughter is now eleven, little man’s eight. It feels like time has flown. I definitely want to watch them grow up and be home a bit more, while still playing against the best guys,” Reed said.
“To be honest, it was one of those decisions that I felt was best not just for my golf, but for my family, to spend more time with them. I’ve enjoyed every minute of being at home, spending time with the kids and my wife.”
Reed added that he enjoyed his time on LIV, especially with his team, and made it clear there were no hard feelings.
“There’s nothing that I felt was going on between LIV and us,” he said. “We had a contract, had a deal, but at the end of the day I felt the best thing for us was to come back to the PGA Tour.”
Because he is facing a one-year suspension following his last LIV appearance, Reed is not eligible to return to the PGA Tour until the fall season. For now, that means more starts on the DP World Tour.
“Those travels overseas, it’s going to be a lot this year,” Reed said. “But at the same time, I can’t wait to get out there and compete, then come home and see the family.”
