Patrick Reed opens up on Rory McIlroy battle as Race to Dubai fight heats up at Wentworth

Patrick Reed is relishing the prospect of battling Rory McIlroy for the Race to Dubai title as he chases a first season-long crown on the DP World Tour.

The great Ryder Cup arch rivals are both competing at the BMW PGA at Wentworth this week, with Reed arriving at the flagship DP World Tour event holding a lead of just under 1,000 points over McIlroy.

Reed strengthened his position on Thursday.

The American carded a 4-under 68 on the West Course, one shot better than McIlroy's 69.

Now, with the biggest events of the DP World Tour season still to come, Reed is looking forward to going head-to-head with McIlroy all the way to the finish.

"Any time I get to go play against Rory, it's always fun because that means you get to play some amazing golf," Reed said.

"With his record and just kind of his résumé that he has, he's a champion. He's been a champion a ton of times and he's one of those guys that if you go up against the best, you're going to have to take him and Scottie [Scheffler] on.

"To have the opportunity to take him on throughout the whole rest of the year is going to be fun and looking forward to it."

Reed knows, however, that his advantage is far from safe.

There are still plenty of Race to Dubai points available before the season concludes in November, while McIlroy is chasing a piece of history of his own.

The Northern Irishman has won the Race to Dubai seven times, including each of the last four seasons.

Another victory would give McIlroy an eighth title and see him match Colin Montgomerie's all-time European Tour record.

Reed has his own milestone in mind.

The 2018 Masters champion has become a regular presence on the DP World Tour this season and could become only the second American to win the Race to Dubai.

And for Reed, that achievement would carry plenty of significance.

"It would mean a lot," he said.

"I've always prided myself as being an American that consistently comes over and shows support to this tour. But to also be able to go ahead, Race to Dubai, a win would mean a lot."

Despite sitting at the top of the standings, Reed is keeping his focus firmly on the job in front of him.

"It's definitely in the back of my mind, but at the end of the day just go out there and take care of business each and every day," he said.

"And hopefully we play late enough on Sundays coming in that we're able to kind of cap that off at the end."

There is, however, uncertainty over exactly where the Race to Dubai will be decided.

The season is currently scheduled to conclude with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November, following the Abu Dhabi Championship. 

But ongoing conflict in the Middle East has cast doubt over whether the two events will take place in the UAE as planned. 

The DP World Tour is continuing to monitor the situation and take advice, while Matt Fitzpatrick has said he is currently uncomfortable with travelling to the region for the season-ending events.

McIlroy is unfazed about the situation. 

For Reed, he won't care where the season ends up, as long as his name is etched in the Harry Vardon trophy for the first time.