US Ryder Cup star Reed stripped of EPGA card

USA Ryder Cup winner Patrick Reed was Sunday stripped of his European Tour membership and England's Graeme Storm could not be happier.

World number eight Reed has failed to contest the mandatory five 'regular' European Tour events from a minimum of 13 that all members must undertake to retain full membership.

And with just two tournaments remaining on the 2016 schedule, and with Reed not entered in this week's Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, the European Tour has removed Reed's name from the Race to Dubai money list.

The Texas-born Reed contested 10 European Tour events this year but only three which were classed as 'regular' ?- the Scottish Open, the Rio Olympic Games and the recent Ryder Cup.

The 26-year-old had been due to contest this week's Turkish Airlines Open but joined other Ryder Cup stars including Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson in electing not the travel to troubled Turkey.

Reed's removal from the European money list will delight Storm who missed out on holding onto his European Tour card by just 100 euros in finishing 112th on the Race to Dubai, and one place outside of retaining full membership for a 12th straight season.

But Reed's removal from the Race to Dubai has meant Storm secures 111th and the final automatic qualifying place for the 2017 European Tour season.