Patrick Reed produced a composed and clinical display on Moving Day at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, surging into a four-shot lead heading into the final round after signing for a superb 67 at Emirates Golf Club.
The American began the day with a slender overnight advantage at nine under par but faced early pressure from Francesco Molinari, who had led after the opening round. Molinari burst out of the blocks with three consecutive birdies on the front nine to move into double figures. Reed responded with resilience, carding three birdies and two bogeys in his opening seven holes to draw level at ten under before edging ahead with a birdie to close his front nine.
From there, the 2018 Masters champion took firm control. Reed added three more birdies on the back nine to reach 14 under par, establishing a clear cushion as he targets his first Rolex Series title.
Spain’s David Puig delivered one of the rounds of the day, firing a brilliant 66 that included a birdie-birdie finish to climb into solo second at ten under. Former champion Viktor Hovland stayed firmly in contention after a flawless bogey-free 65, sitting one shot further back alongside England’s Andy Sullivan, who recovered strongly from back-to-back bogeys at the eighth and ninth with three birdies on the inward nine.
Molinari shared fifth place at eight under with fellow Italian Andrea Pavan. Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Spain’s Jorge Campillo were a further stroke back on seven under. Nicolai Højgaard led a large group at six under par that included South Africans Jayden Schaper, Hennie du Plessis and amateur Christiaan Maas, as well as France’s Julien Guerrier and Martin Couvra.
Speaking after his round, Reed highlighted improved driving and renewed confidence with the putter as key factors behind his surge. Puig remained optimistic despite trailing the leader, while Hovland praised his steady ball-striking and putting as he eyes a late Sunday charge.
With a demanding course and a world-class leaderboard in pursuit, Reed will need another disciplined performance to convert his advantage when the championship reaches its decisive final round.
About Hero Dubai Desert Classic
The Dubai Desert Classic was founded in 1989 as the first DP World Tour event to take place in the Gulf, and the first and only GEO-certified golf event in the Middle East, highlighting the event’s continued dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable golf events. Regarded as one of the most significant events on the DP World Tour, and part of the prestigious Rolex Series, it has been credited with paving the way for golf’s presence in the Middle East, as well as creating some of the most iconic moments in golfing history.
Promoted and organized by Falcon and Associates, the tournament played on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, is fondly referred to as the ‘Major of the Middle East’, due to its legacy and world-class players drawn to the tournament every year.
