Patrick Reed extended his lead at the top of the leaderboard in the third round of the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, firing a five-under-par 66 to take a four-shot lead heading into Sunday’s finale.
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Patrick Reed birdies the 18th and will take a four-shot lead into Sunday 💪#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/BTROu3Zv17
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 24, 2026
The 2018 Masters Champion, currently 44th in the Official World Golf Ranking, sits at the forefront of the US$9 million Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour.
Reed, who has three DP World Tour titles to his name, overcame a slow start to post a commanding round at the Majlis course. “Early in the round, I just didn’t really settle out,” Reed said. “Even after the birdies on 2 and 3, it was just one of those things where the swing didn’t feel a hundred percent, but I was missing it where I need to and just relying on my putter to work.
“On 7, it clicked there when I hit a really good drive on 8. From that point on, I felt really solid and was able to take advantage of the par 5s.”
A moving day 66 into second place ✍️
David Puig, making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Rolex Series debut, is in the mix for another Tour title.
The Spaniard won for the first time only eight weeks ago at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. #HeroDubaiDesertClassic |… pic.twitter.com/nBDeMArAyY
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 24, 2026
Trailing Reed by four shots is Spain’s David Puig, with 2022 champion from Norway Viktor Hovland and England’s Andy Sullivan a further stroke behind.
Captain America has a solid record at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, finishing in the top 10 last year and runner-up in 2021, as he looks to capture his maiden Rolex Series title on Golf’s Global Tour, “You’re always excited showing up on Sunday with a lead. That’s what we live for as players, to have a chance to win on Sundays and battle it out with the guys.
“I know it’s not going to be easy, no matter how big the lead is. Looking forward to tomorrow, and hopefully just keep doing what I’m doing – putting well and hitting fairways and greens.”
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Notable names further down the leaderboard include England’s Tyrrell Hatton, last year’s winner, who carded a four-over 76 to fall into a tie for 42nd alongside Irishman Shane Lowry. World Number Two from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy, struggled on the greens and settled for a one-under 71 and sits three under par, 11 shots off the lead.
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