Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, made headlines when he withdrew from U.S. Open qualifying, ending a streak of playing in major championships. Reed was scheduled to compete in a sectional qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club but never teed off. This decision means he will not be participating at Pinehurst No. 2 next month, marking the first time in over a decade that he will miss one of golf’s four biggest events.
Reed’s withdrawal came after a T-53 finish at the PGA Championship. To qualify for the U.S. Open, he would have needed to place third at Valhalla to crack the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking. However, as a player for LIV Golf, which does not receive world ranking points, Reed currently sits at No. 92. His ranking was boosted by a T-12 finish at the Masters in April.
Despite missing out on the U.S. Open, Reed has a lifetime exemption into the Masters as a past champion. The PGA also gave him a special exemption to play at Valhalla. Meanwhile, fellow LIV golfer Sergio Garcia participated in the U.S. Open qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club. He narrowly missed out on a spot after losing in a seven-for-six playoff. Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, will serve as an alternate for the event, which he has played in for the past 24 consecutive years.
The 2024 U.S. Open is scheduled to take place at Pinehurst No. 2, with Reed’s absence being notable given his previous consistent appearances in major championships. While Reed’s decision to withdraw may have disappointed some fans, it highlights the competitive nature of professional golf and the challenges that players face in maintaining their eligibility for major tournaments. As the golfing world prepares for the upcoming U.S. Open, the absence of Reed and the presence of other notable competitors like Garcia will certainly add intrigue to the event.
