Patrick Reed makes feelings clear on LIV Golf stars facing PGA Tour exile

Patrick Reed says he doesn't get any satisfaction from knowing that several of his former LIV Golf colleagues are likely to be made to wait at least a year before returning to the PGA Tour.

Reed was among the first wave of players to be recruited by the breakaway tour in 2022, alongside a plethora of major champions and Ryder Cup stars.

The former Masters champion, now 36, left LIV Golf at the beginning of the year after opting to reject a contract extension.

He was not eligible for the PGA Tour's returning member programme, which Brooks Koepka took advantage of, and was made to serve a one-year suspension.

It was a decision that has ultimately proved to be well-timed, with Reed effectively one step ahead of the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson after LIV confirmed it is winding down its operations. 

As things stand, the North American circuit does not seem open to the idea of reopening a similar programme, although The Athletic has reported that the situation may change in January.

Johnson's agent recently claimed that "the wheels are in motion" for the two-time major champion to return to the "highest levels of competition".

"I don't really get any satisfaction from making a decision and watching the other guys have to sit out a year and have the repercussions of that," Reed told reporters ahead of the DP World Tour Championship.

Reed has improved his status on the PGA Tour for next season via the Race to Dubai rankings and will attempt to prevent Rory McIlroy from claiming a record-equalling eighth Order of Merit title this weekend.

Jon Rahm and his compatriot Eugenio Chacarra are also in contention to win the Harry Vardon Trophy, as are England's Aaron Rai and South Africa's Casey Jarvis.

Reed added: "The more satisfaction is going out there and playing solid golf.

"You never want to see guys struggle or have to sit out, things like that. I mean, we're all competitors.

"We're all athletes and really, at the end of the day, a lot of those guys that are going through that are good friends of mine.

"You sit there, and you just hope that they are able to come out and do what I did [and] come out and play solid golf and come out on the PGA Tour."

Reed says he has not set his goals yet ahead of the 2027 season.

But one of them is clear.

"Go make the Ryder Cup team," Reed added. "Go out and get back to the winner's circle on the PGA Tour like I was right before I left.

"Go out there and assert myself into the top 10 in the world again.

"Get back up to where I feel like I should be, and just continue giving myself opportunities and having fun on the weekend and competing in the majors and hopefully get more than just the one green jacket I have.

"Hopefully win a couple more."

Reed has not featured in the Ryder Cup since Jim Furyk's Team USA were comfortably defeated by Thomas Bjorn's Europe at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.

Reed appeared to burn his bridges with Furyk after criticising his captaincy in the wake of the heavy 17½-10½ defeat.

He appeared to insinuate that he deserved more respect, explaining that he did not feel it was a smart decision to be benched twice over the weekend given his strong record.

Reed was also unhappy that Furyk decided to rip up his partnership with Jordan Spieth, which had been so successful in the previous two Ryder Cups.

Tiger Woods played alongside Reed in Paris, and the pair lost both of their fourballs matches, while Spieth teamed up with his good friend Justin Thomas.

Speaking to reporters in October, Furyk said he was prepared to bury the hatchet with Reed.

"We are going to put the best 12 guys on this team and if Patrick Reed is one of those, that's great," said Furyk, who was named as the surprise successor to Keegan Bradley.

Reed added: "Any time I can represent the United States and wear red, white and blue means a lot to me.

"And I know obviously for my team and my family, and yeah, to get back and play on those Ryder Cup teams and be a thorn in the side of those Europeans has always been something I've enjoyed and had fun with.

"It's one of those things that, as a golfer and as a player, you're always wanting.

"No matter what sport you are, you want to represent your country and go out there and play for your country.

"So for me, it would mean a lot. And obviously I know next year it's going to be important to go out there and play really well to make the team.

"It's definitely going to be part of the goals, if not right at the top of the list of the first things I want to do - go out there and represent our country and play for the USA."