Patrick Reed Injury Update: Golfer Reveals Hand Swelling, Major Scare That Almost Derailed Race to Dubai Battle

Patrick Reed has revealed he feared a broken hand after withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, England, in September.

The American returns to competition at the Spanish Open in Madrid on 8 October, with Rory McIlroy closing the gap in the Race to Dubai standings.

Reed withdrew on 18 September during his second round after opening with a four-under-par 68. He had been struggling with neck and shoulder discomfort before striking a tree root on the ninth hole. His hand swelled so badly that he could no longer swing normally.

Medical examinations in Texas later found no hand damage. Reed instead reported a shoulder problem, which kept him out of another tournament before he returned to Spain.

Patrick Reed Feared a Fracture After Tree Root Incident

'Never saw it coming,' Reed told the DP World Tour, describing the first injury-related mid-round withdrawal of his career.

His problems began before the incident that ended his tournament. Reed said his neck and shoulder felt tight before play, and his shoulder 'kind of popped' on the first tee. He then played from a path on the third hole.

The more concerning incident came six holes later. Reed struck an unseen root, causing swelling and pain that disrupted the shots he would normally expect to execute.

'I couldn't hit a normal flop shot,' Reed explained, adding that he also struggled to play an ordinary iron shot on the following hole.

By then, Reed believed continuing would achieve little. He withdrew and sought treatment, with the swelling and tenderness raising concerns that a bone might have been broken. 'So they thought I might've broken something inside the hand,' Reed explained.

He flew home the next morning for tests. The DP World Tour later reported that scans showed no hand damage, though Reed said the underlying problem was his shoulder. No more precise diagnosis was disclosed.

Patrick Reed Returns as McIlroy Narrows the Lead

Reed withdrew from the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and took additional time away from competition on his doctor's advice.

He said the setback cost him about a week, although he returned nearly three weeks after Wentworth.

Despite lingering shoulder discomfort, the 36-year-old believed he was fit enough to compete in Madrid. 'I feel like I'm healthy enough to come back out here and play and compete,' he said.

The timing matters because McIlroy capitalised on Reed's absence at Wentworth. The Northern Irishman's runner-up finish, rather than Reed's withdrawal alone, substantially reduced the championship deficit.

Before the Spanish Open, the official Race to Dubai rankings placed Reed first with 3,423.62 points. McIlroy followed on 3,115.86, leaving 307.76 points between them.

Reed's lead reflects a strong campaign that includes victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Qatar Masters, plus second place at the Amgen Irish Open. He has topped the standings since February.

McIlroy, meanwhile, is pursuing an eighth season-long title, which would equal Colin Montgomerie's record. Reed could become only the second American crowned European number one, after Collin Morikawa in 2021.

Patrick Reed Faces Three Events Before the Play-Offs

Reed's return at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid marks the start of three remaining regular-season tournaments. The Open de España runs from 8 to 11 October, followed by the DP World India Championship from 15 to 18 October.

The Genesis Championship in South Korea follows from 22 to 25 October. The season then moves to the Abu Dhabi Championship from 5 to 8 November, followed by the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from 12 to 15 November.

Reed has confirmed his place at the Dubai finale, but the immediate test is whether his shoulder lets him replicate his earlier form. He was disappointed to leave Wentworth early, particularly after arriving confident about his game.

Reed nevertheless insists he can compete despite the remaining discomfort. 'So no excuses, go out there and continue grinding,' he said.

The Spanish Open offers Reed his first competitive examination since the withdrawal. With the remaining tournament schedule offering more chances to collect points, maintaining his lead will depend on his performances through the final stretch.