Rory McIlroy could be paired with rival Patrick Reed this weekend at the Dubai Desert Classic. There is no love lost between the golf stars who have some recent history between them.
They are currently tied for fourth place at the Majlis course and the prospect of a reunion pairing in either the third or fourth round is certainly one to watch. But play is currently suspended due to rain and with the weather wreaking havoc throughout the event, the DP World Tour have declared it will now finish on Monday.
Following the news, McIlroy aimed a jab at LIV, saying: "We can go on until Tuesday next week if we have to. I'm a fan of 72-hole golf, as you know." Reed joined LIV Golf last year for millions while McIlroy is a staunch PGA player and fierce critic of Greg Norman and co.
Earlier this week, the war between players on the PGA Tour and LIV series continued after Reed allegedly threw a tee' at rival McIlroy in Dubai. The incident happened after McIlroy had allegedly failed to acknowledge his rival ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy insisted he did not feel the need to acknowledge Reed after what took place. The world number one says he didn't duck after Reed threw the tee at him as his back was turned to the American and he didn't see the tee coming towards him.
McIlroy explained: "I didn't see it. I was down by my bag and he came up to me, and I was busy working and sort of doing my practise, and I didn't really feel like - I didn't feel the need to acknowledge him. So I didn't see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently, that's what happened. And if roles were reversed and I'd have of thrown that tee at him, I'd be expecting a lawsuit from him."
Reed has since defended his actions, and put McIlroy's snubbing down to the four-time major champion's LIV Golf views and slammed the Northern Irrishman as an ‘immature little child’. He said: "I walked over there and wished Harry [Diamond, McIlroy’s caddie] Happy New Year and then Rory, because it is the first time I have seen them. Harry shook my hand and Rory just looked down there and was messing with his Trackman (device) and kind of decided to ignore us. We all know where it came from – being part of LIV.
"Since my tees are Team Aces LIV tees I flicked him one. It was kind of a funny shot back. Funny how a small little flick has turned into basically me stabbing him and throwing a tee at him. He saw me and he decided not to not to react. It's unfortunate but it is one of those things – if you're going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one."
However, tensions seem to have now eased between the rivals after McIlroy's team told Reed's about a suspension in play ahead of the tournament's opening round during a chance meeting. “So, I get myself ready, and then a while later, I’m standing out in front of the hotel with my caddy and my coach, and we’re saying, ‘Where’s the car?’” Reed told Irish Golfer.
“It’s now about 10 minutes late, and the next thing you know, Rory gets out of his courtesy car, as he’s also staying at the same hotel, and he says, ‘Hey, just to let you know, we’re not playing, as they’ve suspended the start of play.’ He’s also saying, ‘We’re off the golf course, buddy. We’re off the golf course,’
“So, I say, ‘OK, thanks for that,’ and head back to my room and go back to bed. I’m not sure if Rory was acknowledging me, my coach, my caddy or all three of us, but whatever, I’ll take it as a small victory.
Reed added: "Honestly, what happened this week was really nothing but then it turned into the huge “tee-gate” with assassination on both sides. You really have to learn how to handle days when there may be a lot of drama and days that are normal."
