Patrick Reed sends warning shot to Rory McIlroy after securing second win of 2026

Patrick Reed is coming in hot for Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai crown after a stunning start to 2026 for the American.

Reed became the latest top star to formally leave LIV Golf in January, and he’s loving it back on the DP World Tour.

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From his first three DP World Tour events in 2026, Reed has two wins and a play-off defeat.

His latest victory came at the Qatar Masters, where he recorded four excellent rounds of 65, 67, 70 and 70 to record the win.

It leaves him top of the Race for Dubai standings as he looks to end McIlroy‘s monopoly on that particular title.

The Northern Irish legend has won the last four, and though it is very early days, the gauntlet has been thrown by Reed.

And after his in Qatar, he said: “It’s always been a dream of mine to be an American to win the Race to Dubai.”

He added: “This little run I’ve had, two wins and a second, it’s awesome. We couldn’t ask anything more than what we did.

“It’s special, to come out here especially to get two wins early on in the season, and hopefully there’s a lot more to come.”

Game on

It is very early days in the Race to Dubai, but Reed is at the top and leads by more than 400 points.

His closest competitor at the moment is Jayden Schaper, but he has played three more events than Reed.

Englishman Andy Sullivan is actually in third, but he trails the former LIV Golf star by well over 1,000 points.

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Meanwhile, it has been a bad start to the year for McIlroy in his bid to defend his crown.

He is all the way down in 30th place, a full 2,000 points off Reed.

Now, there are plenty of events left, and the table is likely to change big time.

However, at the moment, he is a long way off.

Why did Reed leave LIV Golf?

After four years with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Reed announced in January that he was returning to the PGA Tour.

He became the second player to do just that with Brooks Koepka doing the same.

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At the moment, Reed isn’t a member of the PGA Tour, but he can play as a non-member before likely gaining his place back in 2027.

In a statement from the PGA, they said: “Patrick Reed has informed the PGA Tour of his desire to return.

“A nine-time PGA Tour winner, he is seeking reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season, playing out of the past champion category.

“As a result of resigning his membership in 2022 prior to violating any PGA Tour Regulations, Patrick is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour as a non-member beginning on August 25, 2026.

“He may also pursue improved PGA Tour status via the DP World Tour.

“Similar to anyone reinstated under the Returning Member Program, any former PGA Tour member returning to the PGA Tour would be ineligible for participation in the Player Equity Program through 2030.”

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LIV Golf revealed that the American departed because they weren’t able to agree terms on a new contract.

They thanked him for his service and wished him all the best.

But it is another blow for LIV to lose a player they’ve invested in.