In the ever-evolving landscape of professional golf, few stories capture the essence of redemption and resurgence quite like Patrick Reed’s 2026 campaign. The 2018 Masters champion, known for his fiery competitiveness and clutch performances, made headlines in late January when he announced his departure from LIV Golf after three and a half seasons with the Saudi-backed league.
Reed, who joined LIV in June 2022 as part of the 4Aces GC team, cited family considerations and a desire to focus on legacy-building events in his decision to leave, opting not to renew his contract. With his last LIV appearance in August 2025, Reed was cleared by the PGA Tour for reinstatement in 2027 as a past champion, but he set his sights higher: earning elevated status through a full-season grind on the DP World Tour.
Reed’s transition couldn’t have started more explosively. Just days before his official LIV exit announcement on January 28, he kicked off his DP World Tour schedule with a commanding victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Closing with a steady performance at Emirates Golf Club, Reed held off a strong field to claim his fourth career win on the European circuit (now rebranded as the DP World Tour). It was a statement win, propelling him to second in the early Race to Dubai standings and signaling that “Captain America” was back with a vengeance.
But Reed wasn’t done. The following week at the Bahrain Championship, he pushed deep into contention, forcing a three-way playoff alongside Scotland’s Calum Hill and Germany’s Freddy Schott. Though a bogey on the first extra hole left him as runner-up, Reed’s consistency shone through — posting another top finish and gathering momentum in the Middle East swing.
That next chapter unfolded at the Qatar Masters in Doha, where Reed delivered a masterclass in wire-to-wire dominance. Leading after the first round at Doha Golf Club, he navigated the windy conditions with precision, carding a final-round 2-under 70 to finish at 16-under par.
Reed fended off late charges from Hill (who finished two back at 14-under) and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, securing a two-shot victory. It marked his second win in three starts, his fifth overall on the DP World Tour, and catapulted him to the top of the Race to Dubai with 2,259.7 points — more than enough to virtually lock up one of the top-10 spots that guarantee a full PGA Tour card for 2027. No other player has matched his 72-hole scoring average during this stretch, and at 35, Reed appears rejuvenated, blending his trademark short-game wizardry with improved ball-striking.
“This little run I’ve had, two wins and a second, it’s awesome,” Reed reflected after his latest triumph, underscoring the rapid turnaround.
Reed’s success comes at a pivotal time for golf. His exit from LIV, following Brooks Koepka’s earlier departure, highlights shifting dynamics in the sport’s fractured ecosystem. While LIV emphasized mutual agreement in their statement, reports suggest contract negotiations stalled, with Reed prioritizing a path back to the PGA Tour’s marquee events. Now, as the first American to win the Qatar Masters, he’s not just earning points—he’s rewriting narratives. Could he become only the second U.S. player to claim the Race to Dubai crown, following Collin Morikawa in 2021? With upcoming stops in Africa, Asia, and Europe, Reed’s schedule offers ample opportunities to build on this hot streak.
For Reed, this isn’t just about wins; it’s about legacy. “Especially to get two wins early in the season, and hopefully there’s a lot more to come,” he said post-Qatar. As he eyes a PGA Tour return with potentially higher priority status, Reed’s DP World Tour dominance serves as a reminder: in golf, form is fleeting, but champions like him find ways to endure. The golf world watches eagerly as this chapter unfolds.
