Reed focuses on Ras Al Khaimah Championship amid Trump invite

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed could have been a guest of President Trump’s at his inauguration on Monday, instead he’s playing the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club.

The LIV golfer was a late entry into this week’s event, only securing his spot by finishing inside the top ten at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Initially, Reed’s absence from the Ras Al Khaimah Championship field, despite entering next week’s Bahrain Championship, raised some eyebrows.

However, Reed has now revealed the real reason he hadn’t entered.

“It’s one of these events that I wanted to come over and play but I had an invitation from the President to be at his inauguration on Monday,” said Reed.

“Unfortunately, with how the schedule was, I was unable to get back in time, but when I realised that it was already after the deadline to enter this event.

“So, I knew I had to go out and take care of business and finish in the top ten last week to be able to play or I would have been hanging out in Dubai for another week practicing.

“It was awesome to get that finish, secure a top ten and come over here and play as I’ve heard some good things about this place.”

Last year, Trump joined Bryson DeChambeau on one of his YouTube videos, with the now president telling the two-time Major winner that he was a big fan of Reed’s game.

“Do you know whose game I like, Patrick Reed,” said Trump. “He just looks like a golfing machine. He’s tough and nasty, and he’s a great chipper, I hear.”

Reed got his first taste of the Peter Harradine-designed Al Hamra on Monday when playing the back nine, before playing the front nine on Tuesday.

In the 2023 edition of the tournament, the front nine played a 377 under par, while coming home was playing at 38 over par.

“The two nines are polar opposites,” said Reed.

“I played the front nine today and the back nine yesterday. I heard people go low out here but when I played the back nine in the wind direction, it felt like I was hitting long irons into every green.

“Playing the front nine today, with the wind direction we had, it’s very gettable. You have to control your ball throughout the entire golf bag, which I think is amazing. The wind obviously blows pretty good around here, so you have to have control of your golf ball.

“You have to attack in early in this place. It seems to be one of those golf courses you have to think about all round.”