American golfer Patrick Reed has surged to the top of the leaderboard at the halfway mark of the Dubai Desert Classic, delivering a masterclass in precision golf at the Emirates Golf Club. The 2026 tournament witnessed Reed card a spectacular bogey-free 66 during Friday’s second round, establishing a one-stroke advantage over his closest competitor.
Reed, who began the day four shots behind overnight leader Francesco Molinari, demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his round. He quickly leveled with the Italian star through two birdies and an eagle on the front nine, then added two more birdies at the first and third holes after the turn to reach nine under par. The former Masters champion maintained his composure through the remaining holes, finishing without a single blemish on his scorecard.
Englishman Andy Sullivan mounted a formidable challenge, posting the week’s joint-lowest round with a brilliant seven-under 65 that included a spectacular eagle on the final hole. Sullivan’s remarkable recovery after a mid-round stumble saw him finish just one shot behind Reed at eight under par.
The leaderboard remains tightly contested with Italian duo Molinari and Andrea Pavan sitting one shot further back at seven under. Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard delivered a bogey-free 67 to claim solo fifth position at six under par.
Reed expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating: ‘The game felt good today. I gave myself plenty of quality opportunities and only missed one green, which is crucial on this course. When you see a few putts drop early, it builds momentum throughout the round.’
World number two Rory McIlroy remains in contention at two under par, seven strokes off the pace. The Northern Irishman improved significantly from his opening round with a 68, keeping his hopes alive for a record fifth Dubai Desert Classic title. McIlroy remained optimistic about his chances, noting: ‘If I can post a low score in tomorrow’s morning conditions, I’ll be right in the mix come Sunday.’
The tournament continues through the weekend with Reed seeking to convert his narrow lead into victory at a venue where he has previously finished runner-up (2023) and recorded multiple top-ten finishes.