Patrick Reed got off to a fine start in the PGA Championship at Aronimink on Thursday.
Reed posted an opening-round 68 and sits just one stroke off the lead with three rounds left to play.
The 35-year-old American has experienced an extremely busy 2026 so far, after he left LIV Golf in January.
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However, Patrick Reed did not play for a full month heading into the PGA Championship.
It was clearly a much-needed break for the former LIV Golf player, though.
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Reed followed Brooks Koepka in leaving LIV Golf earlier this year, and he will be eligible to return to the PGA Tour from August of this year onwards.
That now looks like a fantastic decision by the 2018 Masters champion.
Patrick Reed says whether he knew PIF would pull their LIV Golf funding
It was announced two weeks ago that Saudi Arabia’s PIF will withdraw their funding from LIV Golf from the end of this season onwards.
So Reed clearly jumped ship at just the right time.
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He spoke to reporters after his opening round at Aronimink and responded when asked whether he knew what was about to happen with LIV Golf before he actually left.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
“I had no idea that was going to come about,” Reed insisted.
“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.“
Whether Reed knew what was coming or not is irrelevant now. What is certain is that he made the correct decision.
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Hopefully we will see him back on the PGA Tour very soon indeed.
Patrick Reed’s stats from day one at the PGA Championship
Reed struggled with his driving on day one at Aronimink and was ranked 101st in strokes gained off the tee.
However, his iron play was spectacular, and he ranked 2nd in strokes gained approach.
The 35-year-old was unusually poor around the greens, and was ranked 70th in strokes gained in that specific category.
Reed was ranked 53rd in strokes gained putting and tied for 8th overall, having gained 4.263 strokes on the field in total.
Patrick Reed will have to tidy up his driving and hole more putts if he is to win the PGA Championship this week.
However, regardless of whether or not he manages to do that, Reed is in a good place right now, and his decision to leave LIV Golf sums that up perfectly.
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