Patrick Reed makes injury admission ahead of crucial Rory McIlroy showdown

Patrick Reed has revealed what really happened during the injury scare that forced him to withdraw from the BMW PGA Championship as he prepares to resume his bid for a first Race to Dubai title.

Reed was forced to pull out during his second round at Wentworth last month after suffering severe pain and swelling in his hand.

There were initial fears the American had broken something, but scans after he returned home to the United States showed there was no damage to his hand.

Instead, the problem was traced back to his shoulder.

The setback also ruled Reed out of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, but he is now back in action at this week's Open de España in Madrid.

And with the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai entering its decisive stages, the timing of his return could hardly be more important.

Reed currently leads the season-long standings by just over 300 points from Rory McIlroy, who moved significantly closer with his runner-up finish at Wentworth.

McIlroy is sitting out this week's action in Madrid, giving Reed a valuable opportunity to extend his advantage before the pair go head-to-head again during the closing events of the season.

The seven-time Race to Dubai champion will return at next week's DP World India Championship before both players head into the DP World Tour Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next month.

Reed knows there is plenty still to play for.

The 36-year-old has led the standings since February after winning the Dubai Desert Classic and Qatar Masters, while also finishing runner-up at the Irish Open.

But his momentum was briefly interrupted at Wentworth.

Reed admitted he had never previously been forced to withdraw from a tournament during a round because of injury.

His neck and shoulder were already tight when he arrived at the 1st tee for day two of the BMW PGA at Wentworth, before his shoulder “popped” early in the round.

Things deteriorated further after he hit from a path on the 3rd, before striking a root he had not seen on the 9th.

His hand then swelled badly and he was unable to make a normal golf swing.

“When I went in, the hand was all swollen. They thought I might have broken something inside the hand,” Reed said.

Thankfully, the scans provided positive news.

“Luckily, the hand was OK and actually ended up being a shoulder issue.”

Reed has now recovered sufficiently to return in Madrid, although he admits he may still feel some discomfort.

That, however, will not be an excuse.

“It might be uncomfortable, but at the same time I'm able to perform and do what I'm supposed to do in swinging the golf club,” he said.

“So no excuses, go out there and continue grinding and hopefully finish off the year strong.”

That mindset will be crucial with McIlroy still firmly in the hunt, and chasing a joint-record eighth Race to Dubai. 

Reed has the chance to become only the second American to finish as European No.1, following two-time major champion Collin Morikawa in 2021.

But with more than 300 points separating the pair and several big events still to come, McIlroy remains a major threat to his ambitions.

“I’m really excited to be over here and playing in Spain,” Reed said ahead of this week's tournament in Madrid. 

“I really enjoyed it the first two years I played and so hopefully we'll continue the good form.”

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