Patrick Reed has found a response as direct as it is challenging to the fines that the DP World Tour will impose on LIV Golf players competing in their tournaments: play good golf and win. That is the strategy of the American, who does not intend to give up his presence on the European circuit despite the change in the economic landscape.
Reed is one of the LIV golfers who, until now, had seen their circuit cover the payment of the fines. However, that coverage no longer exists and, from now on, the fines will be borne by the players themselves. Despite this, the Masters winner maintains his intention to continue juggling schedules whenever possible, although this year he plans to slightly reduce the number of tournaments compared to 2025, when he played 32 events worldwide.
The schedule has already started to take its toll. Just three weeks into the year, Reed has already competed in two DP World Tour tournaments, after playing the Dubai Invitational and, this week, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. An early presence that increases the amount of fines that will start to apply when the LIV season kicks off next month.
For now, the sporting plan is working for him. Upon reaching the halfway point of the tournament at the Emirates Golf Club, Reed has become the man to beat, securing a clubhouse lead with nine under par after the first two rounds on the Majlis Course. A favourable scenario: in his last two participations in this tournament, he finished second and tied tenth, respectively.
Reed himself does not hide that his goal is to win soon to balance the books. “Come on, win and that will sort it out,” joked the American when referring to the fines looming over him. “I have always felt a lot of support here, both from the fans and the tour, and that’s why I always come back,” he explained, making clear his attachment to the European circuit.
True to his competitive nature, the LIV player also enjoys the role he assumes every time he crosses the Atlantic. “I love being that American who comes over and tries to be a thorn in everyone’s side when the Europeans are playing. It’s fun,” he assured. “If I play like I’m supposed to play, that will take care of the fines.”
As for the figures, Reed estimates that he will need around a million dollars in prize money to offset the fines he will have to face. A performance similar to the one he delivered in his second round in Dubai this weekend could bring him decisively closer to that goal. While the institutional standoff between circuits continues, Patrick Reed has chosen the path he knows best: let the results speak for him… and let golf foot the bill.
These words from the Texan come after Rory McIlroy launched his particular ‘dart’ at Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton regarding the fines: “We all said we would pay to play the Ryder Cup and there are two guys who can now prove it. Hopefully, they pay the fines.” An issue that, following LIV’s decision to stop covering that financial cost, continues to be a talking point on the Wentworth-based circuit.
