Mornings for golf fans often begin with coffee, PGA Tour coverage, and some multitasking, riding out the early hours with dew-soaked fairways and picturesque courses visible on screen. These scenes are occasionally disrupted by the formidable presence of Patrick Reed.
Reed, a 2018 Masters champion, effectively transformed the early season landscape on the DP World Tour, clinching victories at both the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, alongside a playoff runner-up at the Bahrain Championship. With these successes, he has secured the No. 1 position in the Race to Dubai, nearly guaranteeing a full-time PGA Tour card for the 2027 season, as top-10 finishers earn this opportunity, provided they lack any existing exemptions.
His current point tally stands at 2,260 after just four tournaments. To put this in context, last season, Jordan Smith acquired the final PGA Tour card with a total of 2,203 points through this series of events. Reed’s ascension means he is poised to revamp his playing schedule away from LIV Golf, scheduled to return in 2027 based on his prior exemptions use.
Despite not being a recent representative of the PGA Tour, his ranking dramatically improved; he now boasts a position of No. 17 in the Official World Golf Rankings, outranking celebrated players.
As Reed’s form peaks, golf enthusiasts are eager to see him compete on the PGA Tour, questioning why he hasn’t already resumed play there. While a Returning Player Program was established for Brooks Koepka, Reed’s past accomplishments don’t align with those criteria.
Nevertheless, Reed is forging ahead. His month-long competition pathway, leading him through various Middle Eastern countries, continues as he prepares for his tour across Africa and Asia, before settling back in Europe.
At 35, he could become the second American to ever win the Race to Dubai, following Collin Morikawa’s success in 2021. Given his current trajectory, Reed could once again engage in a competitive rivalry with Rory McIlroy, who is on the verge of a significant record.
Ultimately, spectators may benefit from adjusting their viewing schedules to catch Reed’s journey as he strives to accumulate accolades against various global talents.
