Reed (-9) tops the leaderboard in Dubai; reigning champion Hatton trails by four strokes.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Patrick Reed ascended to the top of the leaderboard while Dustin Johnson failed to make the cut on a mixed day for prominent LIV golfers at the European tour’s Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.
In the middle of the pack were four-time champion Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, the tournament’s featured players who will require a strong performance over the weekend to contend for the title this year.
Reed, the former Masters champion, maintained a clean scorecard and recorded a 6-under 66 to secure a one-stroke advantage after two rounds at Emirates Golf Club, where he previously finished second and tenth in his earlier appearances at the event.
Reed, who stands at 9-under 135 for the tournament, achieved four birdies and made a 40-foot eagle putt at the par-5 13th.
Andy Sullivan concluded his round with a birdie-eagle, shooting 65, the lowest score of the day, and positioned himself in second place.
Johnson, the former world No. 1, was the most notable player to miss the cut after posting a second consecutive 74. The American has become less prominent in the golf scene since joining the breakaway LIV circuit in 2022, the same year as Reed, and has fallen to No. 639 in the world rankings.
Meanwhile, No. 3-ranked Fleetwood barely made the cut after struggling to a 72, leaving him 10 shots behind the leader, while playing partner and second-ranked McIlroy birdied the par-5 18th to finish with a 69, recovering somewhat from a 72 in the opening round.
However, McIlroy still has seven shots to overcome to catch Reed, with whom he has had numerous competitive encounters over the years, including a memorable singles match at the Ryder Cup in 2016 and the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic in 2023.
“It was an improvement on yesterday and at least gave myself half a chance going into the weekend,” McIlroy remarked, noting that he felt the conditions became more challenging as the day progressed.
In a better position was Tyrrell Hatton, the defending champion, who shot 69 and found himself in sixth place, four strokes behind the leader.
Hatton, another LIV golfer, made a chip-in for eagle at the short par-4 No. 17, marking the highlight of his day.
