The foursome of Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and last week’s Dunhill Links champion Adrian Meronk have suprisingly each missed the cut at the Open de Espania in Madrid.
Reed’s Spanish effort to further distant himself from nearest Race to Dubai rival Rory McIlroy back-fired in posting a pair of indifferent rounds of 73 and 71 that included six birdies but also an equal number of bogeys plus a double-bogey for a two-over par tally in the Euro 4m touranment.
The Texan has entered next week’s DP World India Championship and with McIlroy also set to tee-up in the world’s most populous nation.
Of course, either Reed or McIlroy could win next week but, and has been the norm over the past seasons, as the No. 1 money-list title is again set to come down to the season curtain closer kick-starting November 12th in Dubai.
SURPRISE AS REED MISSES @OpendeEspana CUT ….
The #RaceToDubai front-runner @PReedGolf missing the weekend rounds by a shot. Joined by the likes @JustinRose99 , @bubbawatson & last week’s @dunhilllinks champ @AdrianMeronk
No concern for Scottish duo of @grantforrest93 (missed the cut in his last four events) who leads by one while ‘father-to-be’ @connor_syme @Modest trails just one back
“My wife is full term on Monday, so you start to think about it a bit more at that point as so much can change,” said Syme.
Read: https://t.co/FEsRh1GaFc
SKY
✅ @TOURMISS
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) October 9, 2026
Rose also never got going in posting a pair of 72s that included eight birdies but also a similar number of bogeys and like Reed a hurtful first day double-bogey.
It is second missed cut for the current World No. 17 ranked Rose who has capped his season in capturing the Farmers Insurance Open and also sharing third in the Masters
Watson’s visit to Spain also was not helped by a poor first round of a four-over 75 that included just three birdies and while a second round 70 boasted three birdies the popular double Augusta National champion just left himself too much to do.
No such concerns for the Scottish pair of Grant Forrest and Connor Syme with Forrest adding a second day 67 to his opening 68 and lying first and second heading into the weekend.
Forrest is at nine-under and Syme signing for a 66 to be tied second at eight-under.
Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra, who shared the first round lead and battling a broken toe, is just one back in a tie for fourth at seven-under.
And what a welcome turnaround in form for Forrest who arrived into the Spanish capital for his 20th event of the year but having missed the cut in 10 events including the last four. His best finish this year was a T7th at the Bahrain Championship back on 1st February.
“It was a really good score in the end,” said the 33-year-old Forrest who is seeking a third DP World Tour triumph.
“I didn’t have my best stuff on the first five or six holes but made a couple of nice par saves to keep the momentum going and managed to make a few birdies as I started driving it well over the last 12 holes.
“So, I’m delighted with four under as I probably didn’t play as well as yesterday.”
As reported by GolfByTourMiss Syme’s wife Alana is expecting the couples first child and, in fact, with the baby is due Monday so what a double family reward it promises to be.
“My wife is full term on Monday, so you start to think about it a bit more at that point as so much can change,” said Syme.
“I’m trying to make sure she is doing absolutely hee-haw at home (smiling) so that I can get home to her (before the baby arrives). It’s obviously a really exciting time for us.
“I checked the set up sheet this morning and saw they were almost half-a-foot quicker.
“To be honest, it’s what we are used to here. I’ve been here five or six times now, so it is quite weird playing them when they are so soft and a little bit slower.
“By Sunday, I think they will dry out and they’ll speed them up again and it will be the Club de Campo that we are used to playing or close to it.”
