Reports have emerged of an incident between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at the driving range at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
Both players are gearing up for this week's DP World Tour event, the Dubai Dessert Classic, which McIlroy has won twice before.
Spanish outlet, TenGolf.com, reported today that Reed through a tee in disgust in the direction of McIlroy, after the Northern Irishman ignored his advances for a handshake.
Reed is currently under contract with LIV Golf, but is still allowed to compete on the DP World Tour before the ongoing case, over suspensions of LIV golfers, is decided.
These differences have caused much tension in the past, but Reed's recent defamation case - which he lost - against analyst Brandel Chamblee may have increased the animosity towards the American golfer.
Rory McIlroy Had No Time For Old Ryder Cup Foe Patrick Reed
2 October 2016; Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates on the 8th green during the Singles match against Patrick Reed of USA at The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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This is just the latest incident in the PGA Tour vs LIV Golf saga, and in a recent interview with the Guardian, McIlroy hammered home just how fractured relationships between feuding players have become.
“This ‘us versus them’ thing has gotten way out of control already. If the two entities keep doubling down in both directions, it is only going to become irreparable. We are going to have a fractured sport for a long time. That is no good for anyone.”
“It’s a weird thing. I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way. It’s an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things.
"Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again? There was a great opportunity for GMac to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio’s legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter, Westwood."
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