Patrick Reed Jul 30, 2022; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; Patrick Reed awaits his turn to putt on the 3rd green during the second round of a LIV Golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

So far, it’s mostly been a war of words between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. But what if the golfer who plays for each tour played against one another, who would win? LIV Golf player Patrick Reed seems to think his side would hold their own.

Reed, who joined the Saudi-backed golf endeavor back in June, was speaking with reporters earlier this week when he said that he believes the talent on the LIV Golf series can compete with the talent on any other tour in the world, including the PGA Tour.

“To be honest with you, I’ve played on every tour — this will be my second Asian Tour event because the last Saudi event was an Asian Tour event, but I’ve played on DP World, I’ve played on PGA Tour, I’ve played one Korn Ferry Tour event, and I’ve played now two LIV golf events, and I can tell you this much: The guys that are out there, doesn’t matter what the dollar amount is — I think, to be honest with you, the players were kind of sick and tired of hearing about that,” said Reed.

“At the end of the day when you go out there, you’re playing more than just for yourself, that you’re part of a team, and we’re all motivated to win trophies. There’s a reason why these top players, all these great golfers are coming over, because they believe in the product, they know it’s the right thing.”

It’s a bold claim for two reasons. One, because Reed was there when Talor Gooch compared the atmosphere at a LIV Golf event to the Ryder Cup and couldn’t contain his disbelief. And two, because the numbers tell a very different story.

Per Golf.com, all 15 of the world’s top 15 play on the PGA Tour (though Cameron Smith’s impending defection would change that). LIV’s highest player right now is No. 18, Dustin Johnson, though all of the LIV golfers are seeing their rankings drop as they’re no longer earning points like they used to.

[Golf.com]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.