Patrick Reed withdraws from Irish Open at Royal County Down

World number 15 Patrick Reed has confirmed that he will not compete in the Irish Open at Royal County Down in a fortnight, despite having taken up membership of the European Tour.

The American has also withdrawn from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week.

Reed said earlier this month that he wanted to play on both sides of the Atlantic and was due to compete at Wentworth and next week at Royal County Down.

However, the Ryder Cup star has opted to compete in the Crowne Plaza Invitational instead this week and will also miss out on the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

“I am really looking forward to playing on the European Tour this year which makes me even more disappointed to withdraw from Wentworth and the Irish Open,” the 24-year-old American said.

“We will not be able to travel overseas at this time. My sincere apologies go to the organisers of both events, and to the fans. Thank you all for your support.”

The news comes after Reed's managent company, IMG, originally stated "family reasons" for him not turning up at Wentworth but he then subsequently entered the Crowne Plaza Invitational, despite PGA Tour rules stating that he had to do so by last Friday.