Why It’s A Big Masters Week For LIV Golf's Patrick Reed
The 2018 champion is relying on a strong performance for the best chance of appearances at the other Majors in 2024


When Patrick Reed won the 2018 Masters, he wrote his name in the Augusta National history books.
However, as well as becoming the 52nd player to win the trophy, another significant knock-on effect of his achievement was that he never needed to worry about how to qualify for the Major again as it handed him a lifetime exemption.
As with any champion, Reed also received many other perks from winning The Masters, but among the most attractive were the exemptions it gave him to the other three Majors.
Those slots were only guaranteed for five years, though, meaning this year’s Masters is more important for the American than previous editions in the years since his win as he looks to secure his place at future Majors.
Patrick Reed won The Masters in 2018
That wouldn’t have been an issue had Reed won any Major since, as it would have guaranteed him places at them for another five years (and longer at the Major he'd have won). But though he has come close, with five top-10 Major finishes since, he has yet to win another.
The biggest culprit is actually not Reed’s failure to win another Major, but his world ranking. Ever since signing for LIV Golf, Reed’s ability to earn the points has been hindered due to the circuit’s world ranking ineligibility. That's important because being above a particular world ranking by a particular date, depending on the Major, is another way to qualify.
Reed's biggest problem is that LIV Golf has a packed schedule of 14 events, meaning he has only had limited chances to play world-ranking events, with his best options being Major appearances and Asian Tour events.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Even though Reed has been one of the most active in both as he bids for a high enough world ranking to reach the other Majors, he dropped out of the world’s top 50 for the first time since 2014 in September 2022, and headed into this year’s Masters in 112th.
Patrick Reed has played in several Asian Tour events, which offer world ranking points
That’s below the threshold for even the most generous Major for qualifying via world ranking, the PGA Championship, which, although not official, typically offers a place to any player in the top 100 not already qualified.
So, how can Reed’s performance at this year’s Masters help his predicament? Well, the most surefire way of claiming a place at the other three Majors is to repeat his achievement of six years ago. That would take his world ranking out of the equation for the foreseeable future as he’d once again earn five-year exemptions to each.
Failing that, another good option is a strong finish, a likely prospect given his three top-10s at Augusta National since his win, including T4 last year. A similar place on the leaderboard this year would see his world ranking given a welcome boost (last year, for example, he jumped from 70th to 45th).
Then it would be a case of trying to schedule other world ranking events to qualify for any remaining Majors he could still be short on, or, assuming his world ranking is high enough to secure a PGA Championship invite, a win at Valhalla in May would do it.
Even if Reed doesn’t perform at his best this week, all would not quite be lost where the US Open and The Open are concerned, with final qualifying one route to each.
Of course, none of those options would be more appealing than winning the Green Jacket for a second time and for that reason, Reed is likely feeling the pressure a little more than many at Augusta National this week.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Augusta National Women’s Amateur Winners: Where Are They Now?
The Augusta National Women's Amateur was first played in 2019 and, since then, a number of the tournament's winners have gone on to forge superb careers
By Matt Cradock Published
-
What Is My Putter Worth?
Is now the time to part with your flatstick? You might be wondering how much it's worth, but there are many factors to consider that will affect its value...
By Michael Weston Published
-
'I Can't Believe I'm Saying This' - Tiger Woods Hints At Shock Augusta Appearance Before Revealing True State Of His Achilles In April Fools Joke
Woods was apparently keen not to miss out on the whimsical nature of April 1 by posting a playful update on his recovery from Achilles surgery
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The People Can’t Get Enough Of Him. We Can’t Get Enough Of Him. It Would Be Sad That He Wouldn’t Come Back Here And Play In The Future' - Major Champions Call On Tiger Woods To Become 'Ceremonial' Masters Player Once He Retires
Two-time US Open winners Andy North and Curtis Strange responded to questions about Tiger Woods' future in golf prior to the 89th Masters tournament
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Odds Slashed Despite Northern Irishman Complaining Of Minor Elbow Issue
The Northern Irishman is being heavily backed by golf fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland ahead of his latest attempt at completing the career Grand Slam
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It's The Place Every Single Golfer Wants To Be' - Angel Cabrera Discusses His Controversial Return To The Masters After Prison
2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera has spoken about his impending return to Augusta National for the first time since being released from prison
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Tiger Did Some Stuff In 2000...But Scottie’s Year Was The Best We’ve Ever Seen' - Bubba Watson Sparks Debate With Controversial Scheffler Claim
Bubba Watson has sparked a huge golfing debate after claiming Scottie Scheffler's 2024 season was better than Tiger Woods' all-conquering 2000 campaign
By Paul Higham Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Playing In 12th Event In A Row In One Final Bid To Make Dream Masters Debut
Ben Griffin has put in a three-month run of consecutive PGA Tour starts in a bid to make his Masters debut, which now all comes down to his result at the Houston Open
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Technically The Easiest Major To Win' - Jordan Spieth Delivers His 'Hot Take' On The Masters That 'Augusta’s Just Blown Up More Than It Probably Should Be'
Jordan Spieth says that The Masters is "technically the easiest Major to win" as he delivered his "hot take" on Augusta National
By Paul Higham Published
-
What's A 'Scottie Style' Cheeseburger? Scheffler Explains Masters Champions Dinner Menu...Including The Dish He Injured His Hand Making On Christmas Day
Scottie Scheffler ran through his second Masters Champions Dinner selections - including his very particular way of eating cheeseburgers
By Paul Higham Published