Patrick Reed is in a really strong position heading into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Reed has been in fine form in general over the past year, but he still hasn’t won a DP World Tour event since 2020.
That may well all change on Sunday, as Reed heads into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic with a four-shot lead over his fellow LIV golfer, David Puig.
Reed said the Dubai Desert Classic golf course is extremely challenging, making his 14-under-par score for three rounds hugely impressive..
Who will win the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic?
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Rory McIlroy has won the tournament four times (2009, 2015, 2023, and 2024)
The LIV Golf star deserves huge respect for playing so often in an effort to maintain his status as a top-50 player in the world.
A win in Dubai on Sunday would make all of the hard work more than worthwhile for Reed.
However, is his game in good enough shape to get the job done on day four in the desert?
Patrick Reed makes admission after shooting 67 on day three in Dubai
Anyone watching Reed on Saturday afternoon would have thought they were witnessing a man who was in complete control of his game.
However, it seems like he wasn’t entirely happy with how he was swinging the golf club, especially early on in his round.
Reed was asked how he felt after shooting a third round 67 out in Dubai.
“Obviously at the end, it was definitely a solid … good score,“ Reed admitted.
“Early in the round, just didn’t really settle out there.
“Even after the birdies on two and three, it was just kind of one of those things that 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 seven, it clicked there. When I hit a really good drive on eight. From that point on from there, I felt like the swing was really solid and I had it locked in, and I was able to take advantage of the par fives.
Reed was then asked what part of his game he was particularly pleased with in Dubai on Saturday.
“I think the biggest thing right now is the driving,“ Reed said.
“I feel like I’m driving the ball a little better right now. You know, early this week, just seeing a couple putts go in, after last year, I felt like it was one of those kind of half of the seasons where I felt like I was doing a lot of things really well.
“I was hitting a lot of putts and the balls weren’t going in. There were a lot of burned edges.
“Once I saw it go in this week, seems like the putter is back behaving doing what it’s supposed to, and allows me to free up the rest of my golf game.“
If Reed continues doing what he’s done during the first three rounds in Dubai, he will surely cruise to victory in the desert on Sunday.
Patrick Reed excited ahead of Dubai Desert Classic final round
The 35-year-old American has a great chance to secure the 12th win of his professional career.
Reed was asked if he is relishing the chance to win in Dubai after firing a round of 67 on day three.
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“You’re always excited, showing up on Sunday with a lead,“ Reed responded.
“I feel like that’s what I feel like all of us live for as players, competitors, to have a chance to win on Sundays and play late on Sundays and just battle out with all the guys. I know it’s not going to be easy, it never is, and doesn’t matter how big of a lead you have.
“Looking forward to tomorrow and just hopefully go out there and keep doing what I’m doing, putting well and hitting fairways and greens.“
The Dubai Desert Classic is very much in Reed’s hands right now and a victory would do him the world of good from a world rankings perspective.
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