Patrick Reed put himself in place for a maiden Hero Dubai Desert Classic success and then virtually brushing aside talk of facing possible mega million dollar DP World Tour fines.
The Texan was out early taking full advantage of the bright and still conditions in holing a 42-eagle foot putt on route to round of 66 for a nine-under tally and lead the $US 9m Rolex Series event by a shot on the host Majlis course at the Emirates club.
England’s Andy Sullivan signed for a 65 to be lying second on eight-under while first round leader, Francesco Molinari struggled in the tougher afternoon windier weather in signing for a 72 to be tied third with fellow Italian Andrea Pavan.
Four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy birdied the last in a score of 69 to be seven shots back, sharing 20th place at two-under.
LIV GOLF star Patrick Reed leads the way in Dubai. Image Getty
Reed is very much determined to go one place better in the event than finishing runner-up two years ago to McIlroy and the year Reed the pair were involved in the laughable ‘Flicking a Tee’ affair.
Though the opportunity was not lost post McIlroy’s round to quizz him seeing Reed’s name atop of the Dubai board.
McIlroy said: “I think I came from ten behind a couple years ago to win. I think I’m seven back at the minute.
“Yeah, 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”,
Reed is playing three straight DP World Tour events as a life member of the Tour and was quizzed by media after his round on his thoughts with regards himself and fellow LIV golfers Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and new recruit Elvis Smylie, as members also of the DP World Tour, being slapped with the possibility of million dollar fines should they choose to return to DP World Tour post the first LIV Tour event of the first new season starting February 4th in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m not going to let fines deter me”, Reed said speaking with the media.
“We haven’t played an event yet that we would be fined, so we don’t really know what it entails for this year. There are so many factors that go into it and trying to wrap your head around it all, it’s confusing. I’d rather just tee it up and play; and if costs me this, that, whatever, I’ll go play.
“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.
Indeed, Reed is very much currently showing his support for the DP World Tour, electing to play the opening three events of the Tour’s ‘International Swing’ including teeing-up in next week’s Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship in Bahrain
“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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