‘You Feel Like You’re Letting Down Your Country’: Standing a Slim Chance, Patrick Reed Unfolds the ‘Mental’ Impact of Ryder Cup

Since he nabbed the green jacket at Augusta in 2018, Patrick Reed has been on the lookout for a second major win. This week, at the 151st Open Championship, the LIV defector once again has the golden opportunity to accomplish the highly elusive feat.

But after he kicked things off at the Royal Liverpool on Thursday, the 32-year-old turned his attention to another fast-approaching golfing event. Speaking to the press after his first round, Reed opened up about all things Ryder Cup, its impact, his fond memories from the biennial tournament, and more!

Patrick Reed opens up about the aftermath of the Ryder Cup

The opening round of the 151st Open saw Patrick Reed shoot an impressive 70 (-1) to be in a 13-way tie for the 19th spot on the leaderboard. He, along with Brooks Koepka, Thomas Pieters, and Richard Bland, are the only LIV golfers at 1 under.

While Reed is vying for his first-ever Claret Jug this week, the golfer couldn’t help but talk enthusiastically about the upcoming Ryder Cup tournament during Thursday’s press conference. In his career, the San Antonio native has appeared in three Ryder Cups, two of which took place on European soil. So, are there any differences between playing at home and away?

For Reed, it’s one and the same. “You’re sitting there and you know when you’re away that if you hit a bad one you’re going to get absolutely heckled; and when you’re at home if you hit a bad one you feel like you’re letting down your country,” the 2018 Masters winner confessed.

While the LIV pro loved the feeling of playing in the competition, he acknowledged its tough nature, saying, “There’s a reason why after a Ryder Cup it takes you weeks if not a month to at least recover, and it’s not physically, it’s mental.”

Also Read: ‘Always Wanted to Play’: Despite Losing His Tour Membership, LIV Golf Defector Patrick Reed Makes An Honest Confession About His Nostalgia

The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place from September 29 to October 1 at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome. This year, the Zach Johnson-led Team USA will be taking on Luke Donald’s Team Europe in hopes of registering a win outside of American soil after three decades!

Is Patrick Reed likely to appear in the 2023 Ryder Cup?

Back in 2016, Patrick Reed was instrumental in Team USA’s victory over the European team at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. He had gone head-to-head against Rory McIlroy in the Sunday opening round that year, scripting a 1-up win to set the ball rolling for his team’s eventual win.

This time, however, it is highly unlikely that Reed will be able to recreate those heroics in Rome. Since his defection to LIV, the golfer has fallen to the 44th spot on the US Ryder Cup points list. It is because he jumped over to LIV and can no longer play in Tour events.

For Zach Johnson’s team, the top six players by August 20 will automatically book their berth in the squad. Meanwhile, Johnson will get six captain’s picks. As of now, the only LIV player who has a chance at automatic qualification is Brooks Koepka, whose PGA Championship win saw him surge up the leaderboard.

Reed, on the other hand, will have to rely on putting up an exceedingly great performance at Hoylake this week if he wants to be a part of the Ryder Cup-related buzz.

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Do you think any other LIV golfer besides Brooks Koepka has the chance to participate in the Ryder Cup this year? Tell us in the comments!