Professional golfer Patrick Reed left LIV Golf in January, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced it was pulling funding from the tour two weeks ago.

The timing looks perfect from the outside, but Patrick Reed said he honestly did not see it coming. Speaking to reporters at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday, where he sat one shot behind the leaders, Reed addressed LIV's current situation directly when asked about the news.

"I had no idea that was going to come about," Reed said.

"For me, really, it's kind of just, you know, hope the guys continue playing some solid golf and get their opportunities. Whatever their future is, whether it's on DP Tour, try to get back to PGA Tour or wherever they're playing, hopefully continue to play solid golf and go out there and do what they do."

Reed followed Brooks Koepka out of LIV Golf earlier this year and will be eligible to return to the PGA Tour from August 2026 onward. Since then, he has rediscovered his form on the DP World Tour, winning twice and recording one runner-up finish.

The month between The Masters Tournament and Aronimink Golf Club was planned carefully. Patrick Reed chose not to play in any tournaments during that time. He said the only other time he had taken such a long break was during 2020-21.

"I love to grind. I love to be in there playing with the guys," he said. "But this year's a little different. Honestly, I enjoyed my time at home. I enjoyed actually getting to grind, to prepare, and work on things and get ready for this week."

Patrick Reed's Round One 68: Iron Play Does the Heavy Lifting

Reed opened with a 68 at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday, sitting one shot off the lead after 18 holes. It was a round built almost entirely on his irons.

He hit all but one green on the back nine and played the stretch bogey-free. Reed ranked second in strokes gained, gaining 4.263 strokes on the field to finish tied for eighth after the opening round.

His driving was not at its best, as he ranked 101st off the tee. But his excellent iron play made up for it.

"Playing that back nine and hitting quality iron shots after quality iron shots and putting yourself on the putting surface made it a little easier to kind of go around there bogey-free," he said.

The 2018 Masters champion remains just one shot back heading into Friday.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav