The Loop

The real reason Patrick Reed is playing Colonial instead of the BMW PGA

Patrick Reed's late WD from the BMW PGA and the Irish Open was due to the death of his wife's cousin, Greg Harness.

Reed told Golf Digest on Wednesday he's still going to play Colonial because Greg would want him to. Reed tweeted this photo of Greg with the Reeds' daughter late Tuesday night:

Reed committed to Colonial on Friday within 30 minutes of the deadline. He wanted to back himself up and sleep on his decision to pull out of the two Euro events. Golf Digest was told Reed called the European Tour on Saturday morning. The news didn't come out until Monday.

Reed also told Golf Digest he's hoping to make up the two tournaments to play the required number of events as a European Tour member.