Patrick Reed wowed by LIV Golf’s new PGA reality

Newton Square, Libra – Patrick Reed got “antsy”. He is a golfer who is addicted to tournament play. He plays wherever and whenever he can.

But he got tothis week’s PGA Championship on the flip side of that coin, not playing since he tied for 12th last month at the Masters.

“It’s definitely weird,” Reed said Thursday after shooting a two-way lead in the first round. “Yeah, this year is definitely a unique situation. Taking that time off since Augusta, it’s just been a lot of grinding and preparation. It’s really one of those where you finally feel like you can prepare properly.

“Even though I wasn’t playing golf on tour, I was doing a lot of things and studying more than just my golf game.”

That preparation included running through multiple sets of wedges and a three-day trip to Aronimink Golf Club, where he played in howling winds, giving him a sense of what he would face this week outside of Philadelphia. Reed said he missed a lot of balls on Aronimink’s thick ball during his scouting trip, but felt it sharpened him enough to avoid any competitive rust that might have accumulated during his month away. The only other time Reed didn’t play for multiple weeks before a major was during the Covid season, when there was a multi-week gap between the Zozo Championship and November’s Masters.

While Reed felt the urge to play tournament golf during his time off, he assuaged it by grinding early and then spending time with his kids after they were done with school. After leaving LIV Golf in January, Reed has played exclusively on the DP World Tour as he works to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2027 season. Reed won in Dubai and Qatar, making it a virtual lock to win one of 10 cards awarded to non-exempt DP World Tour members. When his team looked at the DP World Tour schedule, they realized it was best if Reed didn’t play between the Masters and the PGA. He also won’t play between the PGA and the US Open before resuming it in contention for the DP World Tour’s home tour.

Despite his largely un-Reed-like preparation, the 2017 Masters champion was sharp on Thursday at Aronimink. He led the field in greens in regulation (88.9 percent) and made two birdies not to lie. He is one of the first-round picks shared by several players, including Scottie Scheffler.

“This year is a little different,” Reed said. “Honestly, I enjoyed the time at home. I enjoyed actually grinding and getting ready and working on things and getting ready for this week. Hopefully I can continue the solid game and go out there and have a chance late Sunday. Who knows, it might be a new thing.”

Reed’s major prep isn’t the only thing different about the current state of professional golf. Things have moved quickly as golf’s civil war appears to be drawing to a close.

Since Reed left Augusta National, his previous tour has been rocked by news that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will withdraw the funds for LIV Golf after the season. This news has left LIV facing an uncertain future CEO Scott O’Neil tries to secure funding for the 2027 season.

“I had no idea it was going to happen,” Reed said. “For me really, it’s just, you know, I hope the guys continue to play hard golf and get their opportunities. Whatever their future is, whether it’s on the DP Tour, try to get back on the PGA Tour or wherever they play, hopefully they continue to play hard golf and go out there and do what they do.”

Before his victory in Dubai, Reed and his team were negotiating a new contract with LIV. Four days later, he won the tournament and decided his time in the Saudi-backed league was over. He wanted to get back on the PGA Tour, to get those competitive juices flowing and to be in the old arena again.

The thought that the PIF could withdraw funds was not included in Reed’s decision. It just wasn’t what his heart desired anymore.

“Nothing,” Reed told GOLF, Sports Illustrated and the Golf Channel when asked if fear of the PIF pulling funding made him want to leave. “No. That’s exactly how I felt on the golf course when I was in Dubai. I want to get that feeling back, going out there and playing, having those ups and downs and that kind of traditional golf where you’re the last man standing on the range. It wasn’t about that. I was completely surprised.”

Reed hopes it all works out for the boys who remain at LIV. But that is in his past. He’s navigating and thriving in his new reality, one that could very well see a second major materialize this weekend in Philadelphia.