Patrick Reed unfazed by fines as he hits the front in Dubai Desert Classic

• American tops leaderboard but sanctions loom large

• Rory McIlroy toils seven shots off the lead

Patrick Reed finds himself in a curious situation. The former Masters champion could prevail this weekend in the Dubai Desert Classic and see a decent chunk of the $1.5m (1.1m) first prize duly handed back to the DP World Tour in fines. Reed has joked that it will not be particularly easy for him to make a profit on this tour during 2026. Indeed, he basically starts his season in the red.

Reed's membership of both the DP World and LIV circuits gets him sanctioned by the former every time he tees up on the latter. He lost an appeal over that situation in 2023 yet, unlike some others, opted to keep playing on what was once the European Tour. Reed's position is further affected by the general understanding that LIV will no longer pay fines on behalf of its members from the end of 2025.