Patrick Reed is the standout name set to tee it up on the DP World Tour this week, with the American the highest ranked player in the field for the Italian Open.
LIV Golf is now on a break until the week before The Open Championship following last week’s event in Nashville.
Some, like Bryson DeChambeau, will surely take some time to rest up ahead of Royal Troon. But Patrick Reed is straight back out again, with the 33-year-old in Ravenna for the Italian Open.
It is perhaps a surprise to see the 2018 Masters champion in the field this week, and it will be interesting if his involvement attracts more attention to the event.
Patrick Reed involved at the Italian Open
But there does appear to be an obvious reason for Reed’s decision to play in Northern Italy, with the final major of the year just around the corner.
As things stand, Reed has not qualified for the event, with his exemption from winning The Masters ending last year. LIV Golf is still yet to reach an agreement which sees a pathway open up for their players to qualify for the major championships.
So Reed appears to have taken it upon himself to play this week as there are two qualifying spots up for grabs. He will not be able to enter the Scottish Open the week before Troon due to LIV Golf Andalucia.
A coup for the DP World Tour
Of course, Reed is one of those players who has come in for a lot of criticism down the years, and some of it has been justified. But the DP World Tour will surely not mind having him involved this week.
Ultimately, the signature events on the PGA Tour this season have completely overshadowed what has gone on in Europe this year, so it is a coup for Reed to be playing. Despite not collecting points outside of the majors, he is still the highest ranked player in the world playing this week.
And with a spot at The Open up for grabs, perhaps there could be some real fireworks from the American.
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