Patrick Reed is in fine form after leaving LIV Golf. The 2018 Masters champion announced he was leaving the Saudi-backed league and rejoining the PGA Tour in 2027 with his past champion status.
Patrick Reed is in fine form after leaving LIV Golf.
The 2018 Masters champion announced he was leaving the Saudi-backed league and rejoining the PGA Tour in 2027 with his past champion status. Until then, he’ll be playing on the DP World Tour.
And so far, Reed must be delighted with that decision. Just before announcing the news, the American won the Dubai Desert Classic, taking the victory in a field featuring the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
He then followed this up at the Bahrain Championship, losing in a playoff to Freddy Schott. And now he’s playing in the Qatar Masters and is leading after an opening round of 65. This is unbelievable form.
And it’s form that is bound to give 2025 Masters champion Rory McIlroy a massive headache for the rest of the year.
Patrick Reed threatening Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai title
Reed has past champion status to play on the PGA Tour in 2027, but he’s still got plenty of incentive to play well on the DP World Tour this year.
Firstly, he can earn a better tour card with a top ten finish on the DP World Tour, as players like Marco Penge did in 2025. After playing three tournaments so far, he has 1,674.70 Race to Dubai points.
It took only 2,203.32 for Jordan Smith to earn a PGA Tour card last year. This means that Reed needs around 500 more points across the entire season to be in position for a fully exempt status.
But there’s something else, and something that might have grabbed the attention of McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is going to his record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title this season on the DP World Tour, after winning it in 2025. But this title is now at risk.
Right now, he’s on 269.20 points, about 1,400 points behind Reed. And if Reed continues to win at this pace, there will be no catching him.
McIlroy has traditionally played on the DP World Tour following the conclusion of the PGA Tour season, and wrapped up the Race to Dubai title at the end of the year. But this time round, there might be no catching Reed.
It will therefore be interesting to see if McIlroy decides to play on the DP World Tour more in 2026 in order to keep pace.
Patrick Reed said he loved to be the ‘thorn in everyone’s side’
When speaking about his decision to play 2026 on the DP World Tour, Reed expressed how he likes to play the role of disruptor.
Traditionally, the DP World Tour has been a place for European players to make their name. This is enemy territory for Reed, but he’s thriving on that.
He said to reporters ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, “I always felt like the fans have really shown some great support with me over here, and I felt like the Tour has, as well, and because of that, I’ve always come back.
“I love being that one American that comes over and tries to be a thorn in everyone’s side when all the Europeans are out playing. It’s fun, it’s fun coming over and playing.”
Given that Reed likes to upset the apple cart, don’t expect him to lay up in his quest for the Race to Dubai title.
Category: General Sports
