Rory McIlroy's quest to start 2026 with a victory at the Dubai Invitational is set against the backdrop of one of golf's most personal and protracted rivalries. The Northern Irish star must once again navigate a tense showdown with American Patrick Reed, a LIV Golf figure with whom he shares a history marked by legal action, public spats, and an infamous on-range confrontation.
A Rivalry Forged in the LIV Golf Divide
The roots of the current friction trace back to the seismic launch of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league in 2022. Patrick Reed was among the high-profile players to defect from the PGA Tour, a move that placed him directly at odds with McIlroy, who emerged as the most vocal critic of the breakaway series.
The tension spilled into public view at the BMW PGA Championship in September 2022, where LIV players were permitted to compete. McIlroy did not mince words, stating they "shouldn't be here" and pointedly noting that playing 72 holes was "a novelty for them at this point." This verbal jab set the stage for a far more personal conflict in the months that followed.
Legal Papers Served on Christmas Eve
The feud escalated dramatically in December 2022 when McIlroy was served with a court subpoena. The legal documents were delivered to McIlroy on Christmas Eve by lawyer Larry Klayman, who was representing interests related to LIV Golf in a civil antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Although Reed was not a plaintiff in this specific case, the timing and nature of the subpoena—compelling McIlroy to testify about a "players-only" meeting—infuriated the four-time major champion. The incident cast a long shadow over the holiday period and directly fueled the explosive encounter that followed just weeks later.
The Dubai Desert Classic Tee-Throwing Incident
Still simmering from the Christmas Eve subpoena, McIlroy and Reed crossed paths at the Dubai Desert Classic in January 2023. On the practice range, Reed attempted to greet McIlroy, who pointedly ignored him. In response, Reed flicked a LIV-branded golf tee in McIlroy's direction.
McIlroy later explained his cold shoulder, referencing the subpoena: "I'm living in reality, I don't know where he's living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't expect a hello or a handshake." Reed defended his actions to the Daily Mail, suggesting McIlroy was acting like an "immature little child" and therefore deserved to be treated as one.
Now, three years on, the pair meet again at a DP World Tour event. McIlroy arrives in Dubai following a stellar 2025, having finally secured a Masters green jacket and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. He is determined to claim the winner's prize of just under £350,000 at the Dubai Invitational. Reed, competing as a LIV Golf star, will be equally motivated to triumph over his old adversary and claim the title for himself.
