Handshake in Delhi: Have McIlroy and Reed ended their eternal feud?
The unthinkable has happened: Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed shook hands and chatted briefly in Delhi. At a simple photo opportunity for the DP World India Championship, the years-long frosty relationship between the two top stars suddenly thawed – a real bombshell that has electrified the golf world.
What a turnaround, considering how often things heated up between the two on the course. At the 2016 Ryder Cup, they engaged in a legendary singles match full of provocations. Then in 2023, the low point at the Dubai Desert Classic, when Reed tossed a LIV tee to Rory after the latter had seemingly ignored him. Even a legal dispute culminated in late 2024 with a court case in which McIlroy received a summons.
But that now seems to be history. McIlroy recently referred to Reed as a 'great competitor' and paid him respect for his comeback qualities. Reed's move away from LIV Golf and his success on the DP World Tour have apparently cleared the air. While the peace agreement hasn't been officially sealed yet, the images from India speak volumes.
Race for the Race to Dubai Crown
This surprising rapprochement is no coincidence, as both players are in the thick of a fierce battle for the Race to Dubai crown. Before the tournament's start on October 15th in Delhi, Patrick Reed leads with 3,423.62 points, closely followed by Eugenio Chacarra (3,257.89) and Rory McIlroy (3,115.86). Casey Jarvis, with 2,654.01 points, is also still in contention at the top.
Full Points in Sight
Reed has a narrow lead of 166 points over Chacarra and 308 over Rory, but the winner of the DP World India Championship earns significant points. A recent disappointing week for Reed at the Open de España, while Chacarra's second-place finish pushed him past Rory in the standings, shows how quickly fortunes can change. Everything is on the line in Delhi – and with this new, unexpected peace, McIlroy and Reed might even start a joint charge to the top.
