Patrick Reed gives his feelings about Rory McIlroy and having to compete against him more often

Patrick Reed is currently sitting in pole position in the Race to Dubai rankings, with Rory McIlroy in second spot.

Reed has played superbly well on the DP World Tour this year with two wins to his name at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Masters.

Meanwhile, McIlroy only has one win to his name, although that victory did come at The Masters.

Rory McIlroy trails Patrick Reed in the Race to Dubai standings by around 840 points right now.

And with 2,000 points to play for at the DP World Tour Championship, everything is still very much to play for.

Reed certainly isn’t making it easy for McIlroy this year, and the Northern Irishman will really have to raise his game over the next couple of months.

Reed spoke to The Mirror about the current state of play regarding this year’s Race to Dubai.

And the 2018 Masters champion was asked about McIlroy sitting just behind him in the standings right now.

“It’s always fun going up against Rors,“ Reed admitted.

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“I’ve always loved going up against him. I always want to go up against the best players in the world, and he’s definitely in that category.

“To have the opportunity to play against him more frequently, especially here in the Race to Dubai, is going to be amazing.

“I just have to go out there and continue playing some solid golf, and hopefully continue staying ahead of him.“

Reed was asked whether he would relish the Race to Dubai coming down to a head-to-head battle with McIlroy over the final nine holes of the DP World Tour Championship.

“That sounds great,“ he replied.

“I have put myself in a good position, and I just need to clean up a few things.

“By that point, hopefully come Sunday in the final event, we’re able to battle it out to the finish.“

Love him or hate him, Patrick Reed is a fierce competitor, and his golfing ability is not up for debate.

Rory McIlroy will be well aware that he has a seriously difficult battle on his hands if he is to win his eighth DP World Tour order of merit title in November.

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