Patrick Reed, who currently tops the Race to Dubai leaderboard, says that becoming the second American ever to claim the European No. 1 ranking would be hugely significant for him. He insists he has "no excuses" as he works to widen the gap over Rory McIlroy after recovering from a shoulder problem. Reed will make his return at the Open de España on Thursday, marking his first start since he withdrew midway through the second round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month.
The 36‑year‑old, who hopes to follow compatriot Collin Morikawa’s 2021 Race to Dubai triumph, sits roughly 300 points ahead of McIlroy with five DP World Tour events still to play. McIlroy, meanwhile, is skipping the Spanish tournament and is slated to appear at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi beginning on October 15.
Reed has held the top spot since February, after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, and after a playoff loss at the Bahrain Championship. The 2018 Masters champion has also logged three additional top‑10 finishes during the season.
Speaking about his ambitions, the Texan explained: "I’ve always taken pride in being an American who enjoys competing around the globe. Getting the chance to play on this tour and potentially win the Race to Dubai would mean a great deal to me.
Gary Player once told me, ‘If you want to be a worldwide player, you have to step outside the PGA Tour.’ Once I got the opportunity to come over and compete, I fell in love with it. I hope I can inspire more Americans and other top players to travel the world, which will help grow the game for everyone." Reed, who finished runner‑up to Shane Lowry at the Amgen Irish Open in September, described the injury he suffered at Wentworth: "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 and something than have to pull out.
When I got to the medical area, my hand was completely swollen and any touch caused intense pain. They initially thought I might have broken something in my hand, but it turned out to be a shoulder issue. The good news is it only set me back a week.
It’s a bit uncomfortable, but I can still swing the club the way I need to. So there are no excuses – I’m out there grinding and hoping to finish the year strong." Three‑time Open de España champion Jon Rahm will miss his home event, with Spanish outlets reporting that the 31‑year‑old is in the United States awaiting the birth of his daughter. Defending champion Marco Penge of England will be back in Madrid, and the field also includes notable names such as Lowry, Justin Rose, Ludvig Åberg, Sergio García, and Eugenio Chacarra, who currently sits third in the Race to Dubai standings behind Reed and McIlroy.
Reed’s decision to leave LIV Golf earlier this year was driven by his desire to re‑qualify for the PGA Tour beginning 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. "We will select the best twelve players, the strongest possible team.
If Patrick Reed earns a spot, that would be great," Furyk said. The Open de España will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf starting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 3 p.m. Viewers can also access the tournament via streaming platforms that offer Sky Sports packages with no long‑term contracts.
Reed’s determination to press on despite the setback underscores his broader goal of cementing a legacy that transcends the PGA Tour. By consistently performing well on the DP World Tour, he hopes to demonstrate that American golfers can thrive in the global arena, encouraging future generations to pursue a more international schedule.
His recent form—highlighted by victories in the Middle East, a string of top‑ten finishes, and a steady accumulation of points—places him in a strong position to claim the coveted Race to Dubai title. If Reed can maintain his momentum through the remaining events in Spain, India, and the final stops on the calendar, he will not only protect his lead but also set a benchmark for American participation on the European circuit. The next few weeks will be crucial, as he seeks to convert his current advantage into an outright championship, while also proving that his "no excuses" mantra is more than just a slogan—it is a commitment to relentless effort and resilience on the world stage.