Patrick Reed, who currently tops the Race to Dubai leaderboard, says that becoming only the second American to claim the European Tour’s No. 1 ranking would be hugely significant and he is refusing to make any excuses as he pushes to widen his margin over Rory McIlroy following a recent shoulder setback. Reed’s next test comes at the Open de España, where he will tee off on Thursday.
This marks his first competitive round since he was forced to withdraw midway through the second round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month due to a shoulder problem. The 36‑year‑old, who hopes to follow fellow American Collin Morikawa’s 2021 Race to Dubai triumph, enjoys a comfortable cushion of roughly 300 points over McIlroy with five DP World Tour events still to play. McIlroy, meanwhile, is skipping the Spanish event and will instead travel to New Delhi for the DP World India Championship beginning on October 15.
Reed has led the standings since February, a run built on victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters, a narrow loss in a playoff at the Bahrain Championship, and three additional top‑10 finishes. The Texan reflected on his global ambitions, stating, "I’ve always taken pride in being that American who loves to compete around the world. To have the chance to come over here, not just to play on this tour but to actually win the Race to Dubai, would mean a great deal to me." He recalled advice from golf legend Gary Player: "If you want to be a worldwide player, you’ve got to go out and play outside of the PGA Tour." Reed added that his experiences in Europe have been rewarding and expressed a desire to see more U.S.
players follow suit, saying, "Hopefully I can bring more Americans over and see more top players travel the globe, helping the game grow." Reed, who finished runner‑up to Shane Lowry at the Amgen Irish Open in September, described the injury that forced his Wentworth withdrawal: "I never saw it coming. It was my first time pulling out of a round because of injury. I would rather shoot a million than withdraw. When I got to the medical area, my hand was swollen and any touch caused intense pain.
They initially feared a fracture, but it turned out to be a shoulder issue. The good news is it set me back only a week." He emphasized that, despite lingering discomfort, he feels capable of swinging the club effectively. "It might be uncomfortable, but I can still perform and do what I need to do with my swing. So no excuses – I’ll go out, keep grinding, and aim to finish the season strong," he affirmed.
Three‑time Open de España champion Jon Rahm will be absent from his home tournament, 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 remains in the field, as do notable competitors such as 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 in order to secure a pathway back to the PGA Tour beginning in 2027 has kept him in the spotlight.
He has not featured in a Ryder Cup since the 2018 edition in France, where he publicly criticized captain Jim Furyk’s selections as the United States suffered a heavy loss to Europe. Furyk, who will again captain the U.S.
side at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, addressed Reed’s potential inclusion during a press conference held a year before the event. "We’re going to pick the best twelve players, the best team of twelve. If Patrick Reed is one of those, that’s great," Furyk said. Fans can watch the Open de España live on Sky Sports Golf starting 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. As the season draws to a close, Reed’s mantra of "no excuses" underscores his determination to capitalize on his current form, overcome the brief setback from his shoulder, and cement his place in European golf history as one of the few Americans to top the Race to Dubai leaderboard.
The upcoming Spanish tournament will be a crucial barometer of his fitness and his ability to maintain the sizable lead over a hungry McIlroy, who is poised to launch his own late‑season charge in India. The narrative promises high drama, international intrigue, and a showcase of the global nature of modern professional golf.