01/25/26 09:51:00
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01/25 09:50 CST Patrick Reed wins in Dubai. Money earned can go toward European
tour fines for playing LIV
Patrick Reed wins in Dubai. Money earned can go toward European tour fines for
playing LIV
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) --- Patrick Reed kept everyone at bay and
closed with an even-par 72 on Sunday for a four-shot victory in the Dubai
Desert Classic, his first European tour title that moves him back into the top
30 in the world for the first time since he joined LIV Golf.
Reed also made enough money from the Rolex Series event that it should cover
his European tour fines for playing in the Saudi-backed rival league, assuming
he can sort out a new LIV contract.
"Win early and that will take care of it," Reed jokingly said Saturday on the
topic of European tour fines that LIV Golf no longer pays on the players'
behalf.
Reed revealed he is still negotiating a new contract to play on LIV, which
starts on Feb. 4 in Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old American, who is playing the
European tour next week in Bahrain, said he fully expects to be with LIV and a
contract may already have been sorted out. His focus was only on golf this
week, and he took care of business.
Any drama at Emirates Golf Club didn't last long.
Reed seized control with middle rounds of 66 and 67 to build a four-shot lead
over David Puig of Spain going into the last day. Reed said he found himself
getting too conservative --- no birdies, one bogey over the front nine --- and
the lead was cut in half when the Spaniard made birdie on Nos. 8 and 9.
"Instead of just keeping the foot on the gas early, I tried to protect that
lead," Reed said.
He said his caddie told him it was a dogfight and Reed responded. The lead
remained at two shots after Reed and Puig each started birdie-bogey on the back
nine, and then it turned quickly --- a birdie for Reed on the par-5 13th and a
bogey for Puig.
The lead was back to four and Reed coasted from there, finishing on 14-under
274 for his 12th title worldwide --- nine on the PGA Tour, one each on the
European tour, Asian Tour and LIV. Reed has won two World Golf Championships
and the Masters that count toward his European tour tally.
Puig, meanwhile, tumbled to a tie for seventh when he was penalized two shots
when it was determined he grounded his club in a bunker on the 18th. He closed
with a 75, the penalty costing him about 15 spots in the world ranking.
Andy Sullivan of England had a 71 to finish alone in second, with Julien
Guerrier of France (69) another shot behind.
Rory McIlroy was never in the mix from his opening 73. He finished with another
73 to tie for 33rd, his first time to finish out of the top 30 since he missed
the cut in the Canadian Open last June.
The victory was worth more than just $1.5 million (E1.3 million) to Reed. His
move into the world ranking all but assures he will remain high enough to be
exempt for all four majors this year.
"It's always nice to lock up the majors," said Reed, who was not at the U.S.
Open or British Open last year. "Any time you go ahead and get a win, it's
special. ... To sit there and have as little amount of events that I've played
to be in the top 30 is something that shows that my golf game is still where I
want it to be."
Reed has been banned from the PGA Tour since joining LIV in 2022. The U.S. tour
recently offered a pathway back to LIV players provided they won a major or The
Players Championship since 2022. Reed won the Masters in 2018 and would not be
eligible.
He is an honorary lifetime member of the European tour with his Masters title,
and he can stake his claim as perhaps the most global player in golf, willing
to travel without the guarantee of big appearance money. But he faces fines
when he plays LIV events held the same week as European tour events.
"I'd rather just tee it up and play," Reed said Saturday. "And if it costs me
this (or) that, whatever, I'll go play."
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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