Patrick Reed unfazed by fines as he hits the front in Dubai Desert Classic

23 janvier 2026 à 16:22

American tops leaderboard but sanctions loom large
Rory McIlroy toils seven shots off the lead

Patrick Reed finds himself in a curious situation. The former Masters champion could prevail this weekend in the Dubai Desert Classic and see a decent chunk of the $1.5m (£1.1m) first prize duly handed back to the DP World Tour in fines. Reed has joked that it will not be particularly easy for him to make a profit on this tour during 2026. Indeed, he basically starts his season in the red.

Reed’s membership of the DP World and LIV circuits leads to sanctions from the former every time he tees up on the latter. He lost an appeal over that situation in 2023 yet, unlike some others, opted to keep playing on what was once the European Tour. Reed’s position is further affected by the general understanding that LIV would no longer pay fines on behalf of its members from the end of 2025.

Hatton dismisses LIV tension with McIlroy as talk in Dubai focuses on wines not fines

The Guardian

Par :Ewan Murray in Dubai

22 janvier 2026 à 14:42

No apparent ill-feeling between Ryder Cup pair
‘I asked if he had any good wine over Christmas’

The talk was of wines, not fines. Any notion of an awkward 18 holes between Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton was firmly dismissed by the Englishman in the immediate aftermath. McIlroy used pre-tournament media duties at the Dubai Desert Classic to assert that Hatton and Jon Rahm should settle their seven-figure penalties due to the European Tour Group for their participation in LIV Golf.

McIlroy’s sentiment felt especially notable because he was to spend the opening two rounds at the Emirates Club in Hatton’s company. Yet there appeared no ill feeling between the Ryder Cup teammates, which was evident on the course and by what Hatton said later.

‘Pay up’: Rory McIlroy delivers Ryder Cup warning to LIV pair Hatton and Rahm

The Guardian

Par :Ewan Murray in Dubai

21 janvier 2026 à 11:51

LIV rebels are appealing against DP World Tour sanctions
Forthright McIlroy wants duo to show their commitment

Rory McIlroy has challenged Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm to demonstrate their commitment to the Ryder Cup cause by settling fines for their LIV Golf participation.

McIlroy pointed towards motivation used by Europe during the victory at Bethpage last September after it emerged that the US players were paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

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