Patrick Reed will begin his 2025 on the DP World Tour this week having regained his membership, but the LIV Golf star is none the wiser as to whether this will come with any punishments further down the line.
Reed is one of a number of LIV stars who have opted to take membership on the Wentworth-based circuit this campaign. Taking advantage of his regained card, Reed is one of six LIV members in the field at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Adrian Meronk, Dean Burmester and Thomas Pieters also competing.
Their decision to return to the Tour is expected to come with some consequences though. Ever since winning an arbitration case in 2023, the DP World Tour has had the power the fine and suspend its members for competing in ‘conflicting’ LIV events.
It appears there is still a lack of clarity about what fines Reed and co face and when they will be implemented though. “I don’t know, that is a good question,” Reed to Mirror Sport when quizzed on whether he had been informed on what punishments he could be handed from the DP World Tour when the LIV season kicks off.
There are not many marquee American players that have supported the DP World Tour more than Reed during his career, having played plenty of golf on the Wentworth-based circuit during his time as both a PGA Tour and LIV player. And regardless of what sanctions may lie ahead, he is keen to keep competing on the European circuit.
“I think the big thing is whenever we are allowed to play [on the DP World Tour] or get called up we go out and play. My big thing is not only to support LIV but support the DP World Tour. I have done it ever since I got my card over the there. I take pride in being the American that plays all the time over there.
Whether it is their flagship events or smaller events. To me it is about going over and showing support and helping grow the game of golf as much as I can. To have that opportunity back means a lot to me, so fines, sanctions, whatever it is I will deal with them when they come.
But after all I believe we have postured this to mean that it does not matter, we are here to meet the needs of growing the game. A big fan of the tour, Reed is no stranger to the Desert Classic in Dubai and the more than made his efforts known the last time he participated in the Emirates Golf Club finishing second to Rory McIlroy.
This week was all about Reed and McIlroy and this even before a ball had been struck into the air. Following McIlroy’s snub to his LIV rival in Dubai earlier this year led to ‘tee-gate’ after it was alleged that Reed threw a tee at the Northern Irishman in jest.
Only days later the two looked like heading to a headline playoff to determine the winner of the tournament before McIlroy claimed the title one shot ahead. This second time around Reed will have opportunity to outplay McIlroy (who wants three-peat) and Reed is eager to swap second for first.
Overview of the article I have to feel like I was playing some decent golf there and Rory ended up sniping me on the back nine with the last couple of holes in 2023, Reed said. “In second place, the last place for me to finish would be the worst.” It is almost like you are right there, but you have not quite fully gotten there. With that said, I would have much desired to perform it on Sunday over again though not second best but nearer to it.”6