Tyrrell Hatton Delivers Frank Assessment on Patrick Reed's LIV Golf Departure
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed has confirmed his exit from LIV Golf, dealing another significant blow to the Saudi-backed league on the eve of its new season. The 2018 Masters winner, who revealed he was out of contract after his Hero Dubai Desert Classic victory last month, has now formally announced he will not be renewing his deal and intends to seek a return to the PGA Tour later this year.
Reed Follows Koepka in Seeking PGA Tour Return
This bombshell development follows Brooks Koepka's departure from LIV Golf before Christmas, with the five-time Major champion already making his return to PGA Tour competition at the Farmers Insurance Open in California last week. Reed, ranked world number 29 and the highest-ranked American on the LIV circuit, represents another high-profile defection that raises questions about the league's stability and appeal.
The new LIV Golf season is scheduled to commence in Riyadh on Wednesday, introducing a revised 72-hole format for tournaments, but will now proceed without Reed's participation. This absence creates a noticeable gap in the league's competitive field as it attempts to establish its credibility against traditional tours.
Hatton's Candid Verdict on League Strength
Tyrrell Hatton, who was part of the title-winning Legion XIII team during the previous LIV Golf season, offered a straightforward assessment of Reed's departure. "He was out of contract, and he had options and decided that for him to move forward, he wanted to go back and play on the PGA TOUR. That's his choice," Hatton stated.
The world number 22 continued with characteristic honesty: "He's an amazing player. If he was playing on LIV still, he makes the league stronger, but he's chosen his path, and you can only wish him the best moving forward." This frank admission highlights how Reed's exit diminishes the overall quality and competitive depth of the LIV Golf roster as the new campaign gets underway.
Rahm Supports Player Freedom Amid Ongoing Legal Battles
Jon Rahm, who captained Reed and Hatton, echoed sentiments about player autonomy while addressing the situation. "I think each one is going to do whatever he thinks is best for them. At this point, I just wish him nothing but the best of luck. Hopefully it all goes well," Rahm commented.
The double Major winner emphasised the principle of freedom in professional golf: "We're free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that's how it should be. And he's made his choice, obviously. Nothing really against him. He's been playing fantastic golf, and if he wants to go back, he should have the chance to do so."
Both Rahm and Hatton remain embroiled in a legal dispute with the DP World Tour regarding fines and suspensions imposed for participating in LIV Golf events without proper releases. Rahm has taken a principled stand against paying these fines, while LIV Golf had covered all penalties until January 1st. Ongoing negotiations may result in a compromise that eliminates future fines for players competing on the breakaway tour.
Positive Developments in Tour Negotiations
Rahm expressed optimism about finding a resolution that benefits all parties: "I don't know what the negotiations look like but I'm happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalised."
He cited examples of younger players like Tom McKibbin and David Puig, who have successfully navigated both tours, arguing they "shouldn't be penalised because of the politics of the game." Rahm concluded: "The fact that they're looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it's only good for us, and I think it's good for the DP World Tour, as well."
Hatton adopted a more measured stance, noting: "It sounds positive, so if things are moving in the right direction, that's good for golf. Yeah, we'll let other people figure that out, and we'll just focus on playing golf this week."
Format Changes and Absences for New Season
Rahm also welcomed LIV Golf's shift to 72-hole events this season, revealing he was among those advocating for the change. "I'm happy about it," said the Spaniard. "I would say I was one of the people that pushed for it. So obviously I'm happy about it. I think the more golf we play, the better for stronger teams and stronger players, and I think it will benefit us four individuals and as a team, as well."
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson will be absent from the first two LIV Golf tournaments of the season due to what has been described as a "family health matter." The second event is scheduled to begin on February 12th in Adelaide, Australia, marking another significant absence as the league attempts to build momentum with its revised format and reduced star power.
