Patrick Reed Confirms DP World Tour Championship Appearance to Set Up Epic UAE Showdown with Rory McIlroy

The UAE will witness a showdown between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed for the Race to Dubai crown after the latter confirmed his participation in the DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy is attempting to win the race for the fifth year in a row, and a record-equalling eighth overall. To do so, he will have to climb above Reed, who currently leads the rankings by around 300 points.

The duo have been familiar foes on courses around the world. Their matches in the Ryder Cup have been some of the most compelling in the recent history of that match, while they have also duelled for major crowns. The UAE has also witnessed their rivalry up close, as McIlroy won the 2023 Dubai Desert Classic while embroiled in a sour feud with his American counterpart.

The season culminates with the Play-off Series over two weeks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. McIlroy confirmed his participation in the finale on Wednesday, before Reed’s appearance in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship was confirmed a day later. Reed stole a march in the race at the start of the year with a sensational run of form in the Middle East, claiming his first title in the UAE when he won the Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in January, finishing second in Bahrain, and winning the Qatar Masters.

In the midst of that run, he announced he was quitting LIV Golf and hoped to play his way back on to the PGA Tour by qualifying for a card via the DP World Tour. This left McIlroy with much ground to make up to retain his grip on the order of merit title. After Dubai in January, the Northern Irishman did not play another counting event on the tour until the Masters in April, where retaining that title elevated him back to second in the race.

Reed aims to become only the second American to be crowned European No 1, following Collin Morikawa, who claimed the title in 2021, the last time McIlroy was denied the order of merit title.

Reed will be making his eighth appearance at the DP World Tour Championship when the tournament takes place at the Earth course from November 12 to 15. “Dubai is where the season really got going for me, so it would be pretty cool to finish it there with the Harry Vardon Trophy,” Reed said. “I’ve played the DP World Tour Championship a bunch of times over the years, so I know the golf course pretty well and what it takes to get it done there. There are some really good players behind me, and that’s what makes the DP World Tour so competitive. You know you’re going to have to play well right to the end.”