Patrick Reed responds to scathing criticism from golf legend at The Masters

Patrick Reed insists he is just following the rules of the PGA Tour's player handbook as he responded to the scathing criticism from American golf legend Tom Watson. 

Watson, an eight-time major winner, turned heads on day one of The Masters by declaring the golfers who jumped ship from the PGA Tour to LIV should be banned for life. 

"If I was commissioner, that's what I would do," said the 76-year-old after getting the 90th edition of the tournament underway alongside fellow honorary starters Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. 

Watson said the players who joined LIV "broke the number one rule" to protect the sponsors. 

Reed, who won the green jacket in 2018, was among the first wave of players to be recruited by the PIF-backed breakaway in 2022. 

The former US Ryder Cup star - who won one individual LIV title across four seasons - left the rival league in January when his contract expired. 

He was the second major champion to depart the league, following Brooks Koepka's abrupt exit a month prior. 

Koepka, 35, re-joined the PGA Tour via a hastily-enacted returning member programme. 

Reed did not match the same criteria for reinstatement as Koepka and will resume his PGA Tour in July at the earliest.

He told reporters after firing an impressive three-under 69 on day one of The Masters that he is just following the rules. 

"I'm doing my time from what they said on player handbook, and I'm excited to come back playing on the PGA Tour," he said when asked about Watson's comments. 

"I can't wait really to get back and finish my career on the PGA Tour where I started.

"The guys from day one have always kind of been the same with me. 

"When we're out there grinding, we're grinding."

Reed continued: "At the same time, there are some of these guys I've never even seen before, I have never met.

"I've met them for the first time a couple of guys this week and in previous weeks. It's nice to get to know the new guys."

Koepka previously admitted he was worried about the reaction he would receive when he returned to the PGA Tour but has received a warm reception from other players. 

And Reed agrees with Koepka. 

"It's all been friendly and fine, especially when we're inside the ropes playing golf," said Reed. 

What did Tom Watson say?

Watson was speaking to reporters on Thursday morning after getting the 90th edition of The Masters underway alongside fellow honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. 

The annual news conference is usually a light-hearted affair in which the golf legends tell incredible tales from their many decades of involvement in the sport. 

Watson was asked about the PGA Tour's decision to allow Brooks Koepka to return. 

As far as Watson is concerned, the PGA Tour has "made a decision to renege" on what they promised to those who stayed loyal during the early days of golf's so-called civil war. 

"When the players left, they violated the number one rule, which is to protect the sponsors," said the 1977 and 1981 Masters champion.

"Sponsors need players. They need the names to be able to promote their tournaments.

"When the players left for LIV, I think it was basically over.

"They chose to go for the money, which is fine. To return to the Tour, I thought, was a nonstarter. Apparently it's not."

Player was also asked about the absence of Tiger Woods and the South African expressed sympathy for the 15-time major champion. 

But he urged Woods, 50, to stop driving after he was involved in another car crash and charged with driving under the influence.