Rory McIlroy defends not acknowledging Patrick Reed in Dubai, says he received Christmas Eve subpoena from Reed’s lawyer

Rory McIlroy mentioned Wednesday that he “didn’t really feel the necessity” to acknowledge Patrick Reed on the Dubai Desert Traditional and that Reed’s lawyer had served him with a subpoena on Christmas Eve.

Reports emerged earlier within the week that McIlroy had ignored Reed when the previous Masters champion and present LIV Golf member approached the McIlroy and that Reed had even thrown a tee in McIlroy’s route after he was rebuffed.

Wednesday, McIlroy was requested about his (lack of an) interplay with Reed and mentioned he “can’t consider it’s truly changed into a narrative” whereas explaining why he wouldn’t need to have a lot to do with Reed.

“Patrick got here as much as say hi there and I didn’t actually need him to,” McIlroy mentioned. “From my recollection, that was it. I didn’t see a tee. I didn’t really feel a tee. Clearly another person noticed that. However it’s positively a storm in a teacup. Clearly nothing — I can’t consider it’s truly changed into a narrative.”

Reed is presently in Dubai enjoying within the DP World Tour occasion in an try and earn Official World Golf Rating factors. LIV occasions are ineligible for OWGR factors and golfers like Reed are enjoying occasions on what was previously generally known as the European Tour to attempt to keep afloat within the rankings.

Along with enjoying golf each in LIV and DP World Tour occasions, Reed has been busy being litigious as properly. His defamation go well with in opposition to the Golf Channel and its analysts was dismissed on Friday in a Florida district court docket.

According to the Guardian, it’s “understood” that McIlroy was named as a witness as a part of Reed’s lawsuits and the rationale why he was given a subpoena over the vacations.

“Yeah I used to be subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve,” McIlroy mentioned. “So after all, attempting to have a pleasant time with my household and somebody exhibits up in your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that properly.”

“So once more, I’m dwelling in actuality. I don’t know the place he’s dwelling. If I had been in his footwear, I wouldn’t anticipate a hi there or a handshake.”

The occasion in Dubai is McIlroy’s first event of 2023 as he didn’t play within the season-opening Match of Champions in Hawaii. World No. 2 Jon Rahm gained the Match of Champions and gained the American Categorical final weekend and can be within the discipline for the Farmers Insurance coverage Open starting Wednesday. Rahm is outstanding at Torrey Pines and will take excessive spot on the planet rankings from McIlroy with one other win.

“Like everyone knows Jon is likely one of the finest gamers on the planet, whether or not there is a 1 beside his identify or a 2 beside his identify, it does not actually matter,” McIlroy mentioned. “He is gained 4 of his final six occasions. He is enjoying a number of the finest golf he is performed in his profession. He is not had a protracted profession however all of his profession, he is performed constantly at a really, very excessive degree.”