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.
Patrick Reed is back on the DP World Tour (Image: Getty Images)
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.
Patrick Reed is unaware of what punishments he faces ( Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
“But at the end of the day I think we have shown that it does not matter, we are still their to support and grow the game.” As an avid supporter of the tour, Reed is no stranger to the Desert Classic in Dubai, and more than played his part last time he was at Emirates Golf Club, finishing second behind Rory McIlroy.
It was a week dominated by Reed and McIlroy, which started before a shot had even been hit. After McIlroy failed to acknowledge his LIV rival on the range in Dubai, ‘tee-gate’ was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 after it was claimed Reed tossed a tee in the direction of the Northern Irishman in a playful response.
Just days later the pair looked as if they were going to set up a headline playoff to decide the tournament, before McIlroy eventually prevailed by a single shot. This time around Reed will get the chance to better McIlroy (who is on the hunt for a third-straight title), and he is keen to turn his second into first.
“I feel like I was playing some solid golf there and Rory ended up clipping me on the back stretch with the last couple of holes,” Reed said of his 2023 efforts. “Finishing second I feel for me is the worst spot possible to finish. You are so close but yet you don’t quite get there. That being said I would love to have a chance on Sunday again, this time not finished second but hopefully close it off.”
