DUBAI – Patrick Reed has no idea what his fines from the DP World Tour could be for playing on LIV but even if it’s $1 million he said it won’t discourage him from playing as many as 32 events around the world this season. He figures the best strategy is to win and win early. He’s off to a good start after shooting 6-under 66 to improve to 9-under 138 at the midway point of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
“I don’t plan on stopping,” Reed said after his bogey-free round on Friday morning. “I mean, if we play well enough, we had to pay fines to still continue to show support on this tour, then so be it.”
Patrick Reed tees off on the first hole during day two of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club on January 23, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“I love playing everywhere,” he added. “If I had to play 45 weeks a year, I’d go out and do it just to say, ‘Hey, you can play all of them.’… I love being that one American that comes over and tries to be a thorn in everyone’s side when all the Europeans are out playing.”
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Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have drawn fines potentially totaling several million pounds due to LIV tournaments conflicting with the DP World Tour, where they still retain membership. Both golfers lodged appeals opposing the sanctions and are waiting for their cases to be heard. It could affect their future Ryder Cup status too.
“At one point, I felt like the fines were going to go away, and then at one point, I felt like they weren’t and then at one point they were, and then not. It’s like every day is a little different,” Reed said. “The only thing I can control is go out and play golf and kind of setting my schedule to start the year and go out and play that schedule and hopefully go out and have a chance to win Sunday.
On Friday, the wind died down and Reed took advantage, hitting 17 greens, missed just one fairway and even got a few putts to drop.
“If you’re able to do that around this type of golf course, you know, you’re able to shoot a number,” he said. “Once I saw the first putt go in on 12, just kind of got out to the races. Made a long one on 12 and backed it up with a long eagle putt on 13. Just gave me the confidence on not only how I was hitting the ball but rolling the ball.”
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During the middle of last season on LIV, Reed began working with noted instructor Claude Harmon III. He’d spent time with his father, Butch, but with the elder Harmon not traveling anymore he turned to the man affectionately known as CH3, who has been the longtime coach of Reed’s 4Aces teammate Dustin Johnson.
“I would see him a bunch and it just made sense. My swing was based so much on timing and he’s helped me better understand why the ball goes left and right,” Reed said.
Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, is in the first week of a five-week tournament stretch and has stuck himself in the thick of it right out of the gate.
“It’s just showing that the work that I’ve put in at home is definitely paying off, and now it’s just go out and continue playing golf and stop diving so much into technique and just try to be a fat athlete and play golf,” he said.
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Reed clarified earlier comments last week that he’d return to the PGA Tour if given a chance.
“I’ve always enjoyed being out there on the PGA Tour, and if that opportunity ever comes whenever that is, you know, it will be a decision. But right now, that decision isn’t out there yet.,” he said.
Reed always has played an extensive schedule and hasn’t shied away from being a world player. Being fined by the DP World Tour isn’t going to slow him down.
“If I play like I’m supposed to, that will take care of the fines,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Patrick Reed is prepared to pay hefty fines to play DP World Tour
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