Patrick Reed makes all-or-nothing plan to play Ryder Cup

For Patrick Reed, it’s Royal Portrush or bust.

Reed knows that if he doesn’t contend for the Claret Jug on the Dunluce Links next month, his chances of playing in a fourth Ryder Cup are slim to none.

It is now 11 years since Reed left first left an indelible mark on the showdown, earning the ‘Captain America’ moniker after riling up European fans during a defeat on debut at Gleneagles.

Reed has a formidable 7-3-2 Ryder Cup record, winning all of his singles match across the 2014, 2016 and 2018 contests.

Yet since joining LIV Golf and sliding down the world rankings, the old pantomime villain has very much been an outsider in the Ryder Cup discourse and is currently 33rd in the American standings.

Reed finished third at this year’s Masters, missed cut at the PGA Championship and was tied for 23rd at the US Open earlier this month.

But he has yet to win an individual event since joining the LIV breakaway league, which has been dominated by six-time winner Joaquin Niemann this season.

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“It’s always on your mind,” Reed said when asked about a wildcard pick.

“Anytime I get to represent our country, it means a lot to me. For me personally, I’m always thinking about trying to make every team.

“Obviously being a part of LIV where we don’t get points, it’s an uphill battle, but really for me it’s focused on playing some great golf and having a chance.

“It’s really going to come down to the Open Championship, having a chance to win there. You have a really good showing and play well there, then you just never know.”

Reed, who secured his Open spot by winning an Asian Tour International Series event in Macau back in March, is realistic about what it will take to impress US skipper Keegan Bradley.

“It is looking like no matter what it’s going to rely on a pick unless I go ahead and win the Open,” the former Masters champion admitted.

“Really the only way I can focus on the Ryder Cup is that one week, go out and give all I have and have a chance to win.”

Reed, meanwhile, was unequivocal on the thorny issue over whether Bradley should play in his own American side at Bethpage.

Bradley’s dramatic victory at the Travelers Championship on Sunday raised the prospect of a first Ryder Cup playing captain since Arnold Palmer back in 1963.

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“If I was in his shoes, if I felt like I was playing as the top 12, inside that top 12, then I’d play,” Reed said.

“The thing about being a captain, it’s about putting the best team forward no matter who it is, and whoever is in the best form is obviously one of those guys that I’d make sure is on the team.

“If he continues playing the way he’s playing and continues competing on Sundays and having a chance to win, I’m all for it.

“It’s all what he feels like is the best for the team, and if that means him playing is best for the team, that’s what you have amazing vice captains for is to take over that role if you’re out there having a chance to play and have a good chance for the US to bring the cup home.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.