Report: Rory McIlroy rebuilding relationship with former golf rival

Patrick Reed says he is rebuilding his relationship with Rory McIlroy.

The duo have always enjoyed fierce battles on the course and were involved in one of the greatest Ryder Cup matches of all time.

Reed got the better of the six-time major champion at Hazeltine in 2016 as the United States routed Darren Clarke's Europe 17-11, but their relationship deteriorated after the American decided to quit the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022.

McIlroy was then caught up in Reed's legal dispute with the golf media, and the Northern Irishman was served a subpoena in connection with litigation involving the PGA Tour.

The subpoena arrived at McIlroy's home on Christmas Eve, further souring relations.

A month later, the dispute reached its most visible flashpoint at the Dubai Desert Classic in January 2023.

After McIlroy declined to acknowledge Reed on the practice range, Reed flicked a LIV-branded tee in his direction.

The incident, widely dubbed 'TeeGate', became a symbol of the hostility surrounding golf's fractured professional landscape.

Reed criticised McIlroy's behaviour, while McIlroy made clear he had little interest in exchanging pleasantries.

"I'm living in reality. I don't know where he's living," McIlroy previously said.

But Reed told Mirror U.S. Sports ahead of the DP World India Championship that their relationship is now improving.

Reed told the publication that he believes the way he has handled his split from LIV Golf has contributed to that. 

He said: "I mean, with me joining LIV, it rubbed some people the wrong way, right?

"I mean, any players that joined LIV, you know, people are going to handle it a different way, one way or the other.

"But at the same time, I feel like going out there and just kind of keeping my head down this year and trying to earn my way back and doing my time on [the DP World Tour], going out and earning a spot [on the PGA Tour], earned a lot of respect back from some of the guys.

"I feel like it's done that with Rory. And, you know, it's one of those things that the more I'm around them, the more we spend time with them, obviously, we'll build that relationship back up.

"Hopefully, I'm able to play with them a little bit more on Saturdays and Sundays coming in because those are always fun dogfights and great battles out there on the golf course. That's one of those things that we look forward to."

McIlroy praises Reed

Speaking to reporters in October, McIlroy praised Reed for earning his way back to the PGA Tour through strong performances.

Reed wasn't eligible for the returning-member programme that Brooks Koepka took advantage of.

The 2018 Masters champion has pursued a return to the PGA Tour via the DP World Tour.

"I think the way Patrick has conducted himself this year, but also just how this is the route that he's taken, and he's put his head down, and he's played the golf, and he's let his clubs do the talking," McIlroy said.

McIlroy added: "He wanted to get back to the PGA Tour, and he's done it the right way."

The 37-year-old added that it helped that there were "no lawsuits anymore".