Patrick Reed contending early in Dubai after rain-delayed start and Rory McIlroy tee incident




  • In Sports/Golf
  • 2023-01-26 18:23:01Z
  • By USA TODAY Sports - Golfweek
 

Patrick Reed knows how to compete amid controversy, and he proved so again on Thursday.

The 32-year-old's name is often in the headlines due to his own actions (or those of his lawyer) and this week at the DP World Tour's 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the latest example.

After overnight rain delayed tee times for six hours and five minutes on Thursday, just 12 players completed their first rounds before daylight ran out. Currently through 16 holes, Reed finds himself in a six-way tie for second at 4 under, one shot behind Thomas Pieters, who has played 15 holes.

Social media erupted earlier in the week due to an incident that occurred when Reed approached world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and his caddie, Harry Diamond, on the range. Reed and Diamond shook hands, but McIlroy failed to acknowledge Reed, who tossed a LIV Golf tee McIlroy's way as he turned to leave.

"Since my tees are 'Team Aces LIV' tees I flicked him one," Reed told the Daily Mail on Wednesday. "It was kind of a funny shot back. Funny how a small little flick has turned into basically me stabbing him and throwing a tee at him."

"But it is one of those things," Reed continued, " if you're going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one."

"I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So of course, trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you're not going to take that well," explained McIlroy. "So again, I'm living in reality, I don't know where he's living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't expect a hello or a handshake."

McIlroy is currently T-12 at 2 under through 15 holes. The two were scheduled to tee off at the same time on Thursday, though on different holes. Fingers crossed for a weekend pairing.

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek

COMMENTS

More Related News

WATCH: McIlroy Hits
WATCH: McIlroy Hits 'One Of The Greatest Drives' 375 Yards To Three Feet

Rory McIlroy almost had a hole-in-one on a par four as he cracked a 375-yard drive on the 18th at the WGC-Match Play

Watch Rory McIlroy hit
Watch Rory McIlroy hit 'one of the best drives in golf history'

Rory McIlroy launched what his mentor Brad Faxon hailed "one of the best drives in the history of the game", hitting his tee-shot to three feet on the 375-yard final hole at Austin Country Club.

Round 2 highlights from WGC-Dell Match Play
Round 2 highlights from WGC-Dell Match Play

In Round 2 of the 2023 World Golf Championships - Dell Technologies Match Play, Max Homa, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler were among those to win their matches.

Rory McIlroy powers his way to another win in Match Play
Rory McIlroy powers his way to another win in Match Play

Rory McIlroy had every reason to love the long ball Thursday. "It was good," McIlroy said with a smile, which was like saying Michelangelo did a good job on the Sistine Chapel. McIlroy didn't take his first lead in the match until another power show - a big drive into the wind on the par-5 16th to set up a two-putt birdie from 18 feet.

Big-driving McIlroy, Scheffler, Rahm win at WGC Match Play
Big-driving McIlroy, Scheffler, Rahm win at WGC Match Play

An amazing tee shot by Rory McIlroy led the world number three to join top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Jon Rahm in capturing clutch victories from Thursday's second group matches at the WGC Match Play Championship.Rahm needs a Friday victory over 2021 WGC Match Play champion Billy Horschel to have a chance to advance.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Cancel reply

Comments

Top News: Golf