BMW PGA Championship: Rory McIlroy Looks To Cut Gap On Injured Patrick Reed

Rory McIlroy hits a tee shot at at Wentworth during the 2026 BMW PGA Championship — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy is hoping for a big weekend at Wentworth to close the gap or even overtake Patrick Reed in the Race To Dubai standings.

Reed had to withdraw from the BMW PGA Championship during Friday's second round due to a wrist injury he sustained on the ninth hole.

The American was struggling before then anyway, going nine over through nine holes but while he was still involved he had a chance to earn points.

McIlroy has not had his best stuff at Wentworth yet, but added a 67 to his opening 69 to enter the weekend on eight under and just four shots off the lead.

A top-two finish in the BMW PGA Championship would see McIlroy overhaul Reed at the top of the Race To Dubai, as he looks to equal Colin Montgomerie's record of finishing as European No.1 eight times.

McIlroy actually praised his old foe Reed after hearing of his withdrawal after his second round, saying he respected the American's effort in playing in Europe.

"Look, I'm motivated regardless of who it is," McIlroy said of chasing his eighth Race To Dubai title. "Obviously Patrick and I have had quite the battles over years, whether it be Ryder Cup, final round in a Major. Dubai Desert Classic a few years ago.

"He's a great competitor and he's played great all year. I respect him for how he's went about it, and coming through here, he's put his head down and done the work, and it's actually been really good to see."

"He [Patrick Reed] is a great competitor; he has played great all year. I respect him for how he has went about it, coming through here [DP World Tour]. He has put his head down and done the work; it's been really good to see."Unfortunately, he has pulled out this week, which… pic.twitter.com/s94aiZdGb8September 18, 2026

With Reed now out, though, and McIlroy well placed heading into the weekend the Northern Irishman is looking to grasp the opportunity to at least make up some ground on the leader.

"Unfortunately he's pulled out this week, which gives me an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland," McIlroy added.

"This weekend is a big weekend for me to pick up a few points and make the race even tighter going into these last few weeks."

McIlroy says he's "seen some encouraging signs" of the swing changes he's been working on slowly starting to work out in competition.

"At least I know I'm on the right path and heading in the right direction," he said. "It's taken me five or six months to get into this habit.

"It will probably take me the same amount of time to get out of it but I'm committed to doing that."

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.