Patrick Reed is again knocking on the Hero Dubai Desert Classic victory door in posting a superb six-under 66 to move two shots clear of the field with the early clubhouse lead on day two of the event in Dubai.
The proud Texan superbly capped his round holing a monster 42-foot eagle ‘3’ putt at the par-5 13th that he was playing as his 14th while also recording four birdies for a 36-hole, nine-under tally in the year’s inagurual Rolex Series event again on the host Emirates Club course.
Reed was four shots clear of South African Jayden Schaper, signing for a 68 to be back at five-under.
Overnight leader, Francesco Molinari was out in the afternoon half of the draw.
Reed is contesting the event for a third occasion since being made being made a Life Member of the DP World Tour in 2019, missing out by a shot to Rory McIlroy in 2023 while he shared 10th place a year ago.
AGAIN KNOCKING ON HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC DOOR ….
Proud Texan @PReedGolf @livgolf_league @4AcesGC_ again putting himself in contention @DubaiDCGolf #RolexSeries
Reed brilliantly caps round with 4⃣2⃣ ft putt for
Read: https://t.co/9wnPrXmHTc
DPWT
✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/hyL9rFnsss
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 23, 2026
“I had a pretty good warmup this morning”, said Reed.
“I feel like yesterday I hit the ball, you know, decent. Just kind of hard to tell with how hard that wind was blowing.
“I mean, game felt good. Kind of went out there and gave myself a lot of good looks, good opportunities, and only missing one green today, that definitely helps.”
Also in speaking after his round, Reed was quizzed his thoughts with regards himself and fellow LIV golfers Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, as members also of the DP World Tour, being slapped with million dollar fines by returning to the LIV Tour come the first event starting February 4th in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m not going to let fines deter me”, said Reed.
“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 that I’m 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.”
“The biggest thing for me is I love playing. I’ve always wanted to be a worldwide player and the way you’re going to do that is by playing on this tour.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming over here. I always felt like the fans have really shown some great support with me over here, and I felt like the tour has, as well. Because of that, I’ve always come back.
“I love being that one American that comes over and tries to be a thorn in everyone’s side when all the Europeans are out playing. It’s fun coming over and playing, and, hey, if I play like I’m supposed to, that will take care of the fines.
“There’s 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 it costs me this, whatever, I’ll go play. Play well and it offsets any fines.”
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