Patrick Reed finds himself in a curious situation. The former Masters champion could prevail this weekend in the Dubai Desert Classic and see a decent chunk of the $1.5m (£1.1m) first prize duly handed back to the DP World Tour in fines. Reed has joked that it will not be particularly easy for him to make a profit on this tour during 2026. Indeed, he basically starts his season in the red.
Reed’s membership of the DP World and LIV circuits leads to sanctions from the former every time he tees up on the latter. He lost an appeal over that situation in 2023 yet, unlike some others, opted to keep playing on what was once the European Tour. Reed’s position is further affected by the general understanding that LIV would no longer pay fines on behalf of its members from the end of 2025.
“It is a really fluid one depending on how much it [the fine] is because it also depends where the event is,” Reed said. “There are so many different factors that go into it. Trying to wrap your head around all of it, it’s confusing. I’d rather just tee it up and play; and if costs me this, that, whatever, I’ll go play.
“We haven’t played an event yet that we would be fined so we don’t know really what it entails for this year. If it happens to be where I’m being fined and having to pay fines to play out here, so be it. I’m not going to allow that to deter me from showing support and playing on this tour. Play well and it offsets.”
So far, so good on that front. Reed’s second round of 66 at the Emirates Club placed him at the summit of the leaderboard, nine under par, one clear of Andy Sullivan. Reed has previous for being at the centre of drama in Dubai; he infamously threw a tee peg at Rory McIlroy here three years ago before being edged out for the title by the Northern Irishman.
“I guess I need to put my hand out, break the ice,” said Reed before a smile which implied devilment. “Or maybe he needs to throw one at me.”
McIlroy’s 69 meant he comfortably survived for the weekend at two under. A further 36 holes will be useful to the Masters champion, who has looked well short of his best in the opening half of this tournament.
Given McIlroy’s specialism at this course and the potential for him to make an early Saturday run, the gap to Reed is far from insurmountable.
“I think I came from 10 behind a couple of years ago to win,” McIlroy said. “I’m seven back at the minute. If I go out there tomorrow, maybe in slightly better conditions in the morning and post a low one, then I’ll be right in the mix come Sunday. ”
Tyrrell Hatton matched McIlroy’s round-two score to leap to five under. Reed’s LIV teammate Dustin Johnson missed the cut. Danny Willett, who had opened with a 76, withdrew before the start of Friday’s play.
