"I am here for the game of golf" Patrick Reed attends LIV hearing in person
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed has flown approximately 3,000 miles to attend the DP World Tour v LIV Golf hearing in London.
Patrick Reed has reportedly joined Lee Westwood in attending the DP World Tour v LIV Golf hearing in person.
The American, 32, recently competed at the Saudi International on the Asian Tour but has decided to fly approximately 3,000 miles to give evidence.
If you are unaware, a three-person Sports Resolutions panel is hearing arguments this week which will effectively decide if European players who have joined the LIV Golf League will be able to qualify for the Ryder Cup.
Related: Justin Rose keeping "nose out" of legal hearing
There are wider implications and, essentially, the breakaway tour players could find themselves "banned" from the European-based circuit.
It was expected the hearing, held behind closed doors in London, would just have written evidence from the players involved.
But Westwood believes it was of critical importance to attend and face DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley in person.
Both Westwood and Pelley have traded barbs in recent months, with the boss of the tour suggesting the Englishman had "upset staff" with his comments during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Former World No.1 Westwood said he "didn't recognise" the tour anymore.
Westwood also accused Pelley of spreading anti-LIV propaganda in an email to players before this hearing began.
Reed told The Times:
The 2018 Masters champion was made an honorary life member of the former European Tour in 2019.
He became the 55th player to receive life membership and was pictured grinning eat-to-ear alongside Pelley when he was presented with the commendation at the Saudi International when it was played under the banner of the European Tour.
Reed was the fourth American to receive the honour, joining Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and John Jacobs.
But his relationship with the circuit appears to have become increasingly strained after he decided to join the breakaway tour last June.
He was among a number of players asked not to wear LIV apparel during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Reed previously described how he believed the treatment he received during the Cazoo Open de France last September felt like "a slap in the face".
Next page: Nine players who changed their mind about LIV Golf
