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 emphasizes that he has "no excuses" as he prepares to widen the gap over Rory McIlroy after a recent shoulder setback.
Reed will make his return at the Open de España on Thursday, marking his first competitive round since he pulled out of the second round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month due to injury. The 36‑year‑old is chasing the same achievement as his fellow U.S.
player Collin Morikawa, who secured the Race to Dubai title in 2021. With roughly 300 points separating him from McIlroy and five DP World Tour events still to play, Reed holds a comfortable cushion. McIlroy, who is not travelling to Spain this week, has his sights set on the DP World India Championship in New Delhi, scheduled to begin on 15 October.
Reed, meanwhile, has held the top spot since February after claiming victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, and after a narrow loss in a playoff at the Bahrain Championship. The 2018 Masters champion has also posted 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 the European Tour and, more importantly, to win the Race to Dubai would mean a great deal to me." He recalled advice from golf legend Gary Player: "Player once told me, ‘If you want to be a worldwide player, you have to step outside the PGA Tour.’" Reed added, "When the opportunity arose to come over and compete, I fell in love with it.
My hope is to encourage more U.S. players to venture abroad and to see the world’s best golfers travel more, which will help the sport grow globally." Reed’s recent injury came during his round at Wentworth. He described the experience: "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 very high score than have to pull out." He continued, "When I examined my hand, it was swollen and any touch caused intense pain. The doctors initially feared a fracture, but it turned out to be a shoulder issue.
The good news is it only set me back about a week." Despite the discomfort, Reed feels he can still swing the club effectively. "It may be a little uncomfortable, but I’m able to perform and do what I need to do with my swing," he said. "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 event, with Spanish media reporting that the 31‑year‑old is in the United States awaiting the birth of his daughter. Defending champion Marco Penge of England will try to retain his title in Madrid, while the field also includes notable names such as Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Ludvig Åberg, Sergio García and Eugenio Chacarra, who 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 starting in 2027. He has not featured in a Ryder Cup since the 2018 edition in France, where he was outspoken about captain Jim Furyk’s selections after the United States suffered a heavy defeat to Europe.
Furyk, who will again captain the U.S. team for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, was asked in a press conference a year before the event whether Reed would be considered for the squad. He replied, "We will select the best twelve players, the strongest possible team. If Patrick Reed earns a spot, that would be 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 from 3 p.m. Those interested in streaming options can explore Sky Sports' latest deals, which include contract‑free viewing alternatives.
Reed’s determination to push forward despite his shoulder setback underscores his commitment to ending the season on a high note. With a solid lead in the Race to Dubai, a handful of tournaments remain for him to consolidate his position and potentially become only the second American to top the European Tour’s season‑long ranking.
His focus on playing globally, encouraging fellow Americans to follow suit, and his refusal to make excuses after injury all point to a player who is intent on making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.