Patrick Reed shot a five-under 67 to claim a four-stroke lead after the third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. LIV Golf players David Puig and Viktor Hovland are in contention, while Rory McIlroy's title hopes faded with a 71. Reed, Puig, and others face potential DP World Tour fines for their LIV commitments.
At the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, Patrick Reed surged to a 14-under total after a third-round 67, featuring seven birdies and two bogeys, including a chip-in on the ninth hole. The 2018 Masters champion, now with LIV Golf, leads by four strokes heading into Sunday's final round. "I know it’s not going to be easy, it never is, and doesn’t matter how big of a lead you have," Reed said.
Spain's David Puig, also from LIV Golf, fired a 66 to reach 10-under, positioning himself as the closest challenger. The 24-year-old, who won the BMW Australian PGA Championship in November, expressed willingness to pay fines to remain a DP World Tour member. "I want to be part of the tour so I’ll do everything I can... If that means paying whatever amount I’ll do it," Puig stated.
Viktor Hovland carded a bogey-free 65 to join England's Andy Sullivan at nine-under. The Norwegian, playing his first event of 2026 and a 2022 winner here via playoff, noted swing adjustments: "Still doesn’t feel like I can stand on the tee and kind of swing for the fences... It’s all very contrived and manufactured."
Rory McIlroy, seeking a record fifth title, started seven back but managed only a 71 after pars on the front nine and a bogey on 18 from a missed two-foot putt, leaving him at three-under and 11 strokes behind. Tommy Fleetwood added a 73 to sit at two-over, while Tyrrell Hatton dropped to one-under with a 76 featuring six bogeys.
The leaderboard reflects strong play amid discussions of fines for LIV players like Reed and Puig, who plan to cover costs to compete on the DP World Tour despite ongoing appeals by others such as Jon Rahm and Hatton.
