Patrick Reed claimed the Dubai Desert Classic title with a four-shot victory over Andy Sullivan, closing with a 72 to finish at 14 under par. The win was a duel with LIV Golf's David Puig, who slumped to a tie for seventh after a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker on the 18th. Sullivan's inward 33 secured second place, while Julien Guerrier took third.
The victory highlighted golf's fractured landscape: Reed and Puig cannot play on the PGA Tour due to their LIV membership, yet competed on the DP World Tour, which continues to host LIV rebels. Reed revealed his LIV contract has expired, saying, 'We’re still finalising the contract... I don’t like to talk business while I’m playing.' He floated the possibility of returning to the PGA Tour via the DP World Tour's top-10 order of merit.
Reed's advantage over Puig was four shots at the start of the final round, cut to two at the turn after Puig birdied the 8th and 9th. But Reed steadied himself with birdies at the 10th and 13th, offset by a bogey at the 11th. Puig played the last eight holes in three over before the penalty and a seven on the 18th left him tied for seventh.
The result adds intrigue to the ongoing rift between the PGA Tour and LIV. The PGA Tour, which funds the DP World Tour until 2025, may pressure the European circuit to tighten entry rules for LIV players. Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, finished outside the top 20, saying he was 'stuck in neutral for most of the week.'
