Patrick Reed sends clear message to Rory McIlroy by adding new events to schedule

Patrick Reed has added yet more fuel to what is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling storylines of the 2026 DP World Tour season.

The American has confirmed he will tee it up in both the South African Open at Stellenbosch next week and the Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club the week after, doubling down on his mission to hunt down — and ultimately topple — his Ryder Cup arch-rival Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai, formerly the Order of Merit. 

It is another bold statement of intent from the 35-year-old, who is riding a wave of red-hot form and showing no signs of easing off as he looks to turn the season-long standings into a two-man heavyweight battle to the line. 

Reed’s ambitions are clear for all to see. 

“It's always been a dream of mine to be an American who wins the Race to Dubai, and we're off to a fast start,” he said after claiming victory at the Qatar Masters earlier this month.

Fast start might be understating it.

Reed has been sensational.

He lifted the Dubai Desert Classic trophy in January, followed that up with victory at the Qatar Masters two weeks later, and very nearly made it three wins in succession when he was edged out in a playoff by Freddy Schott at the Bahrain Championship in between.

Two wins and a playoff defeat in three starts. That is DP World Tour dominance by anyone's standards. 

Those performances have rocketed him to the top of the DP World Tour standings on 2,259.70 points — 450 clear of South Africa’s Jayden Schaper in second place. 

McIlroy, by contrast, is down in 30th position on 269.20 points after finishes of T14, T3 and T33 during an early-season stretch in which he was experimenting with new irons.

Of course, nobody expects McIlroy to stay quiet for long. The Northern Irishman has won the last four renewals of the Race to Dubai and seven in total, leaving him just one shy of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record of eight.

If McIlroy triumphs again in Dubai on Sunday 15 November, he will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Monty in the record books.

And typically, McIlroy plays the long game, especially given the DPWT points structure. 

McIlroy typically tends to focus the first half of his year on the PGA Tour and the majors — The Masters, US PGA Championship, US Open and The Open — and he then picks up substantial points at marquee DP World Tour stops such as the Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship. 

Historically, that has been more than enough.

But this season feels different.

Because this time, he has a full-time Reed.

Reed has structured his entire calendar around the DP World Tour and the majors. Having terminated his LIV Golf contract last month — following in the footsteps of five-time major champion Brooks Koepka just before Christmas — Reed is fully committed to piling up Race to Dubai points while he waits to make his official PGA Tour return in August.

Koepka was able to take advantage of the PGA Tour’s newly designed Returning Membership Policy to come back immediately. Reed was not afforded the same pathway. Instead of sitting idle though, he has chosen to attack the DP World Tour schedule head-on.

And now comes another shock.

For the first time in his career, Reed will compete in both the South African Open at Stellenbosch and the Joburg Open at Houghton. That means he will have played six of the seven events in the International Swing — a clear indication that he wants every available point. It also keeps him firmly in control of the International Swing bonus, with $200,000 on the line for the points leader at the conclusion of the Joburg Open. Given his two wins and overall consistency, that bonus is very much within his grasp.

“The Sunshine Tour has been so supportive for my first trip to South Africa,” Reed said. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person and teeing it up against the guys in the 2026 Joburg Open. I’ve heard great things about the Houghton Golf Club course, and I know it will be an exciting tournament start to finish.”

Both South African events are co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Sunshine Tour, offering Reed further opportunity not only to stretch his Race to Dubai lead but also to continue climbing the world rankings. 

That matters.

Reed’s ranking suffered during his time on LIV Golf, which previously offered no OWGR points. Although LIV events now award limited points in 2026 — with only the top 10 earning them — Reed has already surged back up to 18th in the world thanks to his early-season exploits.

Another victory in South Africa would push him ever closer to the world’s top 10 — a place he knows well, having reached a career-high of sixth in June 2020.

And let’s not forget what looms on the horizon.

The Masters.

Reed’s favourite event. The scene of his crowning glory in 2018. In his last eight starts at Augusta National, he has recorded five top-10 finishes. Given his current form, confidence and competitive sharpness, it would surprise nobody if he contends once again for the green jacket this April. The bookies are certainly not taking any chances, with Reed's odds already halving in price from 66/1 to 30/1. 

All of which adds layers to this unfolding rivalry between two stars who have enjoyed fierce Ryder Cup battles down the years. 

McIlroy, who achieved his lifelong dream last season by completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters, has spoken about playing more international golf going forward. 

But if Reed, nicknamed 'Captain America' for his past Ryder Cup antics, continues to rack up victories and hoover up points at this rate, McIlroy may be forced into rethinking his schedule to defend his Race to Dubai crown.

That is precisely what Reed will be hoping. 

Because this is about more than trophies and prize money.

It is about legacy. About bragging rights. About proving he can conquer on his own terms. 

Reed has Honorary Lifetime Membership of the DP World Tour — something he values deeply — and he has made it abundantly clear he intends to play as many events as possible in 2026. 

So the message from Reed is simple.

Catch me if you can. 

If McIlroy wants an eighth Order of Merit, he is going to have to really earn it.

For the first time in years, the Race to Dubai feels wide open.

Reed has thrown down the gauntlet. 

McIlroy has history on his side.

And with a new destination firmly on Reed's radar, the battle is only just getting started.