Patrick Reed, who currently tops the Race to Dubai standings, says that becoming only the second American to clinch the European Tour’s No. 1 ranking would be hugely significant for him. He emphasizes that he has "no excuses" as he prepares to widen his lead over Rory McIlroy after returning from a recent shoulder setback.
Reed’s first tournament back will be the Open de España, which kicks off on Thursday. This marks his comeback after he was forced to withdraw midway through the second round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month due to a shoulder injury.
The 36‑year‑old is chasing the same achievement that fellow American Collin Morikawa secured in 2021 when he won the Race to Dubai. At present, Reed enjoys a cushion of roughly 300 points over McIlroy, with five DP World Tour events still on the calendar. McIlroy, for his part, will sit out the Spanish event.
He is slated to appear at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi beginning on October 15. Reed, meanwhile, has held the top spot on the Race to Dubai leaderboard since February. His rise was propelled by victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, as well as a narrow loss in a playoff at the Bahrain Championship. In addition to those wins, the 2018 Masters champion has logged three more top‑10 finishes this season.
Speaking about his ambitions, Reed said, "I’ve always taken pride in being that American who loves to compete around the globe. Getting the chance to play on the European Tour and, more importantly, to win the Race to Dubai would mean a great deal to me." He recalled advice from the legendary Gary Player: "Player once told me, ‘If you want to be a worldwide player, you have to step outside the PGA Tour.’" Reed added, "Once I got the opportunity to come over and play, I really enjoyed it.
I hope I can encourage more Americans and top‑ranked players to travel the world, helping the game grow internationally." Reed was runner‑up to Shane Lowry at the Amgen Irish Open in September. He described the injury that forced him out of Wentworth as unexpected: "I never saw it coming. It was the first time I ever had to withdraw from a round because of an injury.
I would rather shoot a hundred than have to pull the plug." He explained the nature of the problem: "When I went in, my hand was swollen and any touch caused a lot of pain, so the medics thought I might have broken something in the hand. It turned out to be a shoulder issue.
The good news is it only set me back a week." Reed emphasized that, despite the discomfort, he feels capable of performing: "It might be uncomfortable, but I can still swing the club the way I need to. So there are no excuses – I’m going out there, grinding, and hoping to finish the season strong." Three‑time Open de España champion Jon Rahm will miss his home tournament, with Spanish media reporting that the 31‑year‑old is in the United States awaiting the birth of his daughter. England’s Marco Penge, the defending champion in Madrid, will be joined by a strong field that includes Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Ludvig Åberg, Sergio García, and Eugenio Chacarra, who currently sits third in the Race to Dubai behind Reed and McIlroy. Reed’s recent decision to leave LIV Golf earlier this year was motivated by his desire to re‑qualify for the PGA Tour starting in 2027.
He has not featured in a Ryder Cup since the 2018 edition in France, where he publicly criticized captain Jim Furyk’s selections after the United States suffered a heavy defeat to Europe. Furyk, who will again serve as U.S.
captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, addressed Reed’s potential inclusion during a press conference held a year before the event. He said, "We’ll pick the best 12 players, the strongest possible team. If Patrick Reed makes that list, that’s great." Fans can watch the Open de España live on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event at 3 p.m.
Viewers also have the option to stream the action through Sky’s on‑demand platform, which offers a no‑contract subscription for those who prefer online viewing. As Reed steps onto the first tee in Spain, his mantra of "no excuses" will be tested against a field eager to close the points gap. With the Race to Dubai hanging in the balance and a handful of tournaments left, every birdie, eagle, and even a single missed putt could prove decisive in the race for the coveted European Tour crown.
Reed’s blend of resilience after injury, ambition to inspire more American participation abroad, and determination to finish the season on a high note sets the stage for an exciting climax to the DP World Tour’s marquee competition.