Patrick Reed put an end to the speculation about his future by confirming on social media that he has left LIV Golf in the hope of returning to the PGA Tour later this year.
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Patrick Reed after he made a number of intriguing comments about his future.
Is Patrick Reed leaving the end of LIV Golf?
First Brooks, now Reed…who will be next?
Reed lauded the PGA Tour, and the 2018 Masters champion subsequently confirmed after winning the Dubai Desert Classic that he had not yet signed a contract with LIV Golf for 2026.
Patrick Reed issues statement as he confirms his LIV Golf exit
It appeared to have the potential to be a negotiating tactic. LIV would have desperately wanted to avoid losing the 35-year-old with the new season just around the corner.
However, Reed has now taken to social media to confirm that he has indeed left LIV.
Reed was set to be in the field on the DP World Tour this week anyway. But it appears that he has handed the tour a huge boost with his plans to spend most of the year on the circuit.
Of course, the big question now is what this could mean for LIV. They have a space to fill on The 4Aces, and not much time to do so before the first event in Riyadh.
As part of Reed’s statement, he paid tribute to his now former teammates.
Another blow LIV Golf will struggle to bounce back from
If Brooks Koepka leaving LIV did not bring the league down, then Reed’s departure will not do so either.
However, this is unquestionably a monumental blow for LIV. They had already seen their momentum stall over the last couple of years.
Do you think Patrick Reed is treated unfairly by golf fans?
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They have now seen two of their major champions walk away. Reed also won an event on LIV just last season.
It certainly speaks to the idea that the league has lost most of its leverage in any negotiations with the PGA Tour. And it will be fascinating to see what the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau do when they still have a pathway back to the PGA Tour available to them.
This may not be the final nail in the coffin for LIV. But does anyone really care any more?
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