The 2026 Dubai Desert Classic concluded with American Patrick Reed claiming a commanding four-shot victory, finishing the tournament at 14 under par after shooting an even-par 72 in Sunday’s final round. The 35-year-old LIV golfer, who famously won the 2018 Masters, secured his first Rolex Series title on the DP World Tour, demonstrating both strategic acumen and composure under pressure.
Reed entered the final round with a four-shot cushion over Spaniard David Puig, another LIV competitor, and relied on steady, methodical golf to maintain his advantage. The front nine proved somewhat challenging, as Reed struggled to find the birdie putts he had converted so effectively in previous rounds. Despite not recording a birdie on the opening nine holes, he managed to protect his lead, playing with a blend of caution and confidence that characterized much of his final-round strategy.
Puig, who had been Reed’s closest challenger throughout the day, made a strong push on the back nine, briefly narrowing the gap with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes. However, Reed responded when both players birdied the 10th and bogeyed the 11th, maintaining his composure and extending his lead. The turning point came on the 13th hole: while Puig bogeyed, Reed secured his second birdie of the day, effectively sealing his triumph. By maintaining consistent iron play, precise putting, and careful management of the wind conditions, Reed made the final stretch of the tournament a relatively straightforward affair.
“I couldn’t really get anything going on the front nine; it was a bit of a grind today,” Reed reflected in a post-round interview with Sky Sports. “Instead of putting the foot on the gas early, I was just trying to protect that four-shot lead. I didn’t think I hit it that badly; I just couldn’t get anything close. When you’re trying to protect, sometimes instead of looking at flags, you’re looking away and then you misjudge the wind and all of a sudden you’re 50 feet away. That’s kind of what happened.” His comments underscored the delicate balance between aggressive scoring and risk management that often determines success at high-stakes events such as the Rolex Series tournaments.
Puig’s pursuit of victory was further hampered by a late penalty on the 18th hole. The Spaniard was assessed a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker, a mistake that ultimately pushed him down the leaderboard and into a tie for seventh alongside England’s Andy Sullivan. Sullivan, who had finished solo second on 10 under, closed his tournament with a pair of birdies, demonstrating resilience and the ability to rebound from previous rounds, but Reed’s steady play throughout the week proved insurmountable.
Other notable players experienced mixed fortunes during the final round. Norway’s Viktor Hovland, world number 14 and a standout performer in earlier rounds, suffered a difficult day, carding a four-over 76. The round included three double bogeys, which dramatically dropped him from third into a tie for 14th. Despite the setback, Hovland’s position remained the highest among his 2025 Ryder Cup teammates, reflecting the strength of the field and the challenge posed by the Emirates Golf Club’s demanding conditions.
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish star and world number two, finished with a final-round 73, moving to two under par and settling for a tie for 27th alongside England’s Tyrrell Hatton. McIlroy had shown glimpses of brilliance in earlier rounds but struggled to maintain momentum in the final stretch, highlighting the difficulty of consistently posting low scores in a field stacked with major champions and seasoned professionals. Hatton, who began the week in solid form, also found the closing day challenging, demonstrating once again the competitive nature of the DP World Tour and the narrow margins separating top contenders.
Republic of Ireland’s Shane Lowry posted a final-round 70, finishing on three under par and tied for 26th overall. The former Open champion showed steady ball-striking and managed to recover from mid-round bogeys, though he lacked the birdie streaks necessary to challenge the leaders. England’s Tommy Fleetwood produced a brighter finish with a 69, which was sufficient to leap 20 places on the leaderboard, ending in a tie for 41st at one under overall. Fleetwood’s round demonstrated his ability to recover from earlier rounds and highlighted the depth of talent present at the event.
The final leaderboard reflected the intense competition and varying fortunes of players over the week. Patrick Reed’s victory underscored his ability to combine experience, course management, and mental toughness to secure wins in high-pressure situations. With a four-shot margin of victory, Reed not only claimed the prestigious Rolex Series title but also reinforced his reputation as a player capable of executing under pressure, blending risk management with timely aggression.
Andy Sullivan’s consistent play and finishing surge showcased the value of experience and strategic shot-making, even if it fell short of overtaking Reed. David Puig’s strong showing and eventual penalty illustrated how easily a single lapse can impact tournament positioning, highlighting the razor-thin margins that define professional golf at the highest level.
Meanwhile, the Emirates Golf Club lived up to its reputation as a testing venue. Its combination of strategically placed hazards, challenging wind conditions, and complex green layouts required players to navigate carefully while still seeking scoring opportunities. Reed’s measured approach, particularly on the front nine, demonstrated the importance of patience and risk assessment in such an environment.
For fans and analysts alike, the final round provided a blend of drama, skill, and strategic decision-making. Reed’s composed performance, Puig’s competitive push, and Sullivan’s steady finish encapsulated the thrill of tournament golf, where experience, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience often dictate the outcome. The leaderboard also highlighted emerging talents and established stars, ensuring that the Dubai Desert Classic remains one of the marquee events on the DP World Tour calendar.
Comprehensive coverage, detailed statistics, hole-by-hole breakdowns, and further analysis of the Dubai Desert Classic are available at https://netsports247.com, providing golf enthusiasts with live updates, insights, and expert commentary from the tournament. The site offers an essential resource for those following the Rolex Series event and tracking top players such as Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, and Andy Sullivan.
