Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy famously clashed at the 2023 Dubai Desert Classic, and the two stars are set to reignite their rivalry at the event later this month.
Patrick Reed is one of six players from the LIV Golf circuit who will compete in the DP World Tour’s season opener at the Dubai Desert Classic later this month.
The 2025 LIV campaign will get underway on February 6 in Riyadh, but Reed and co. will begin their year two weeks earlier with a start on the DP World Tour. Legion XIII teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s entry had been confirmed late last year, with the former making his debut in the event.
And following the release of the tournament’s entry list on Thursday, it was confirmed that four other LIV players would compete, with Reed, Dean Burmester, Adrian Meronk and Thomas Pieters also in the field.
Reed is no stranger to the event, having last competed in the Desert Classic two years ago in 2023. And it proved to be a week of controversy for the LIV star who came up against PGA Tour loyalist Patrick Reed in a battle that started on the range and ended on the final hole of the tournament.
Their fallout started prior to the event kicking off, where McIlroy appeared to blank Reed on the range after the LIV star reached out to him during practice. After the Northern Irishman opted not to respond, reports suggested Reed then tossed a tee at his rival before heading on his way.
McIlroy also later explained to the public that he chose to completely freeze out Reed after being personally served with legal papers by Reedâs legal counsel at Christmas Eve. âI was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve,â the four-time major winner said at the time.
I had gone to make some good time with my family and then someone comes knocking at your door and hands you that, you wonât take it kindly. Lord help him, I am living in reality and I have no idea where he is living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldnât expect a hello or a handshake⊠I was down by my bag and he got a bit closer to me.
This was the case because I was occupied by working and that kind of sealed my practice part. I did not felt the urge to respond to him. There wasnât any tee pointed in my direction at all but, evidently, that was the case. And if I have been in his position and I had climbed Mount McKinley Only to throw that tee at him, he would sure sue me!
In the last round, McIlroy and Reed were both at the center of the fight for the win before the former triumphed by a single stroke. McIlroy then defended his crown and won the title for a record fourth time in 2024, then he will be back in the Middle East in January aiming for victory No 5 at the Emirates Golf Club.