Patrick Reed’s birdie on the 18th hole of Saturday’s third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic pushed the lone American in the field into a four-shot lead heading into the final round of play.
But it was a shot from another player on the same hole in the DP World Tour event that left the most lasting image of the day.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 24: Andy Sullivan of England plays his second shot on the 18th hole during day three of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club on January 24, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Andy Sullivan, who sits in a tie for third with Viktor Hovland through 54 holes, had posted a birdie on the closing hole in the opening round and an eagle on the same par-5 during Friday’s second round. But during Saturday’s third round, Sullivan’s approach came in hot and landed in a hospitality tent behind the green.
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The image was striking.
The Englishman, who had climbed as high as 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking but has since slid down to his current spot at No. 142, got a free drop and still made par on the hole, capping a 71 that keeps him in contention.
Meanwhile, Reed continued to churn along, as his birdie on the final hole was just one of seven on the day. His 67 put him at 14 under for the event, well ahead of second-place David Puig and the rest of the field.
“You’re always excited, showing up on Sunday with a lead. That’s what I feel like all of us live for as players, competitors, is to have a chance to win on Sundays and play late on Sundays and just battle out with all the guys,” Reed said. “I know it’s not going to be easy, it never is. And it doesn’t matter how big a lead you have. I’m looking forward to (Sunday) and just hopefully go out there and keep doing what I’m doing, putting well and hitting fairways and greens.”
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Reed, who said when he left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf that he did so to see more of his family, is in the middle of a five-week stretch of tournaments, and it’s possible he could play as many as 32 events around the globe this year. The 2018 Masters winner finished second in this event in 2023.
While Reed has shined, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood both struggled on Saturday. McIlroy finished the day with a 71 and is 11 shots off Reed’s lead, while Fleetwood shot a 73 to stand 2 over.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: DP World Tour player’s shot left the most striking image in Dubai
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