Patrick Reed is in with a chance of winning LIV Golf Houston and has the supporters on side, but he’s still furious that he cannot compete in the US Open due to the OWGR debate
Fans of LIV Golf in Houston, Texas, have been hailed by Patrick Reed for giving him “energy” despite feeling upset about missing out on the US Open.
Reed is now one of many high-profile LIV Golfers who will start missing out on the four major competitions, due to the Saudi-breakaway league still not being recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). LIV Golf saw their application denied by the OWGR to be considered an eligible tour, and then withdrew their request once it was snubbed.
Until an agreement can be negotiated over a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, this is unlikely to change, and Reed will lose his impressive streak of 41 starts across all majors. The US Open begins on June 13, but Reed decided to appreciate the fans at LIV Houston, taking his mind off other events.
On the first tee at LIV Houston fans began cheering for Reed, and the golfer had a humbling response when being asked about their support. “It was amazing. It was amazing seeing all our family and friends and all the support coming back out from Houston,” Reed said.
“It definitely gave me a lot of energy today to go out there and go shoot a number for them and play well. Hopefully go out this weekend and continue that momentum going in, and who knows late Sunday have a chance to stand on the podium and get a W.”
A win would take Reed’s mind off next week, as he’s still furious about missing the US Open. The 33-year-old has made multiple digs towards the OWGR in the past, and has added to his transcript ahead of June 13.
“I feel like the world ranking is not a reflection of where I should be and what events I should be in,” Reed said. “But at the end of the day, I don’t make those decisions.
“It’s their call on special exemptions. They’re the ones that make those decisions and I just have to live with it, just continue doing what I do and play golf.” When the rejection was made official by the OWGR, Reed called it a “broken system” and began his complaints.
Reed’s argument is that LIV Golf now has some of the top professionals and by not competing, the majors are no longer as authentic. Reed also believes that his recent performances should allow him to compete at the US Open, and also his portfolio as a former Masters champion in 2018.
In 11 eligible ranking tournaments since last year’s Dubai Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour, where Reed came second by a single stroke to Rory McIlroy, the 33-year-old has four top-ten finishes, been in the top 25 on eight occasions, and managed to make the cut in every major.
“If those events would carry over into a normal season throughout, there’d be no doubt I’d be in the majors,” Reed concluded. “I’ll be well inside the top 20, probably top 15 in the world with those kinds of finishes consistently throughout the year.”