[ad_1]
Patrick Reed achieved a profession first on Sunday when he ran away and hid from the sector on the 2026 Dubai Desert Basic. Changing his 54-hole lead right into a four-stroke victory at 14 beneath, the American claimed his first non-co-sanctioned trophy on the DP World Tour.
With the win, the Masters champion climbs all the way in which as much as No. 29 within the Official World Golf Rankings, positioning him to qualify to play in all of this season’s main championships. Reed performs totally on LIV Golf, which has but to be acknowledged by the OWGR; its most up-to-date utility stays beneath evaluate.
“I feel the largest factor this week that was so particular is I’ve received on each tour besides this one,” Reed stated after topping Andy Sullivan. “Regardless that, on-line, it says I’ve three wins, one was a serious and two have been WGC occasions. So they’re all co-sanctioned occasions. It is one thing that is at all times sort of been consuming at me, sitting there not really having a win over right here.
“And to return to a spot the place we had an opportunity in 2023 and allowed that one to sort of slip by, it was crucial for me to return out right here and play properly and to have that chance. And to shut it off means so much to me, particularly doing it right here in Dubai, which I like coming to, makes it much more particular.”
Reed’s victory makes headlines for a number of causes, as one of the crucial prolific grinders within the present sport continues to squeeze out high quality outcomes regardless of the tour he performs. The 35-year-old turned in 1 over and remained at that quantity for his spherical after exchanging a birdie and a bogey on Nos. 10-11. Righting the ship, Reed performed his final seven holes in 1 beneath to win in ho-hum trend.
After his win, nevertheless, Reed revealed that his contract with LIV Golf shouldn’t be but in ink for the upcoming 2026 season. LIV Golf begins its season in a few weeks in Riyadh, the place the league will debut its new 72-hole format. Reed performs on Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces membership, which not too long ago acquired Thomas Detry from the PGA Tour and has fellow Belgian Thomas Pieters on the roster.
“We’re nonetheless finalizing the contract,” Reed stated. “We’re not full on that but.”
“In the intervening time, sure, [I am a free agent],” Reed continued. “It is a type of issues that I do not like to speak enterprise and stuff whereas I am enjoying, and so it is like Monday by means of Wednesday is the one time to essentially speak about it. And so, it is simply sort of a type of issues that, you understand, getting right here this week, I knew that after Thursday bought right here, simply concentrate on golf and golf solely. … The most important factor for me proper now’s simply exit and play properly this week. Clearly, bought the win. Then hopefully carry that momentum into subsequent week and hopefully compete late Sunday once more.”
Reed famous that he plans to play in LIV Golf Riyadh and can be shocked if he didn’t. Whereas his short-term schedule seems near being solidified, his plans and the place he might take his abilities aren’t. When requested what potential avenues he may search, Reed talked about a return to the PGA Tour by ending inside the highest 10 of the Race to Dubai. Because it stands, those that end inside this mark and aren’t but certified for the PGA Tour earn a full-time card for the next season.
“Proceed to play out right here and be within the high 10 and be on the PGA Tour subsequent yr,” Reed stated. “Good golf takes care of itself, proper? It is at all times sort of been that means from Day 1. … If I ended up not enjoying on LIV this yr, clearly it will be a type of issues that I’d be out right here enjoying extra on this tour and attempting to safe a type of spots within the high 10 and permit myself to get again on the PGA Tour.”
[ad_2]
