Patrick Reed is on a roll, and it might just land him back on the PGA Tour sooner than expected! The fiery American just clinched his second victory on the DP World Tour this season at the Qatar Masters, solidifying his position and potentially securing a coveted PGA Tour card for 2027. This win, by a margin of two shots over Calum Hill, brings Reed's total to 16 under par and significantly boosts his standing in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai. For those new to golf, the Race to Dubai is essentially a season-long competition where players earn points, and the top finishers (who aren't already exempt) receive PGA Tour cards. Think of it as a leaderboard that determines who gets to play on the big leagues!
Reed himself is ecstatic about his recent performance, stating, "This little run I've had, two wins and a second[-place finish], it's awesome." He's clearly feeling confident, and why wouldn't he be? He's now leading the season-long points race with an impressive 2,260 points, a remarkable achievement following a playoff loss at the Bahrain Championship and his earlier win at the Dubai Desert Classic.
But here's where it gets interesting... Reed was open about not having a contract for the upcoming LIV Golf season. Instead of rejoining his former team, the 4Aces, he's dedicating this season to the DP World Tour with an eye on a PGA Tour return. He initially planned to use a past champion's exemption to get back on the PGA Tour, but this recent success might just bypass that need entirely. His current point total in the Race to Dubai is so high that he's now in a prime position to earn a full-time PGA Tour card based on historical data.
And this is the part most people miss... To put it into perspective, last season, Jordan Smith secured the 10th full-time PGA Tour card with 2,203 points. The year before that, Tom McKibbin earned his card with even fewer points, 1,897, though he ultimately chose to play on LIV Golf. Reed's current standing suggests he's comfortably ahead of those benchmarks.
For the second consecutive week, Reed found himself in a tight contest with Calum Hill. Both players were in playoff contention just the week before at the Bahrain Championship. Hill made a strong charge on Sunday, with a remarkable back-nine 30 that included four consecutive birdies from holes 14 to 17, finishing at 14 under par. Reed, however, managed to turn his game around after a shaky front nine. Commanding a one-stroke lead, he sealed the victory with three birdies on holes 10 through 14, with a crucial birdie on the 14th proving to be the decisive moment.
Reed admitted, "It wasn't looking very good there on the front nine." He described the feeling of flipping the switch on the back nine as "amazing," emphasizing the importance of a single putt to go in. He noted a significant improvement in his putting, going from 18 putts on the front nine to feeling confident with his putter and trusting the process. He's feeling "amazing" and "very proud" of how he handled the stress of the day, especially since "it very easily could have gotten away from me." He's currently playing "stellar golf" and feels "really confident" in his game.
What do you think about Patrick Reed's resurgence? Do you believe his success on the DP World Tour is a clear indicator of his readiness for a PGA Tour comeback, or is this just a temporary hot streak? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
