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By Kent Gray
There were none of the fireworks the game hoped for in the Ryder Cup singles match that wasn’t in Paris but the quality of the golf Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed produced in Dubai on Friday was a decent consolation prize.

Together the friendly foes combined for 13 birdies on Earth as Reed’s 66 edged McIlroy’s two-bogey 67 on the second day of the 10th DP World Tour Championship. It left both firmly in contention in the Race to Dubai decider with Reed two shots off Matt Wallace’s -11 halfway lead in solo fifth and two-time winner McIlroy a stroke further back of the American on -8.

Related: Matt Wallace rides lowered expectations to the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard

“I think I certainly bring the best out of him,” McIlroy said of Reed who famously won their epic 2016 Ryder Cup match at Hazeltine 1-up.

The much hyped rematch at Le Golf National never eventuated, of course, with Reed ending a forgettable week with a 3&2 triumph over Tyrrell Hatton while McIlroy’s joy at Europe’s 17½-10½ win was slightly dulled by a one hole loss to Justin Thomas.

It doesn’t mean there isn’t an edge to any meeting between the two and the benefactors were the galleries at Jumierah Golf Estates. 

“Yeah, it’s fun. Patrick and I get along great,” McIlroy continued. “I think there’s a level of respect between each other and the way we play the game. I thought the way he gutted it out at the Masters this year to get in, that was fantastic. I have a lot of respect for his game. We get along great. It was a nice pairing.” Indeed.

For McIlroy, a pair of sub 70 scores to open the $8 million Rolex Series event is a breath of fresh after recent struggles, especially with his driver. A new big stick in the bag this week has certainly done the trick as the 29-year-old Northern Irishman backed up his opening 69.

“I wish I would have had it earlier in the year. It’s almost frustrating because it feels easy. It feels easy to hit it where I’m looking, where it’s been a bit of a struggle the last few months. But it’s great that I’ve found a club setup that works for me and hopefully will continue to help me shoot good scores going into the next few months.”

A 14th European Tour win, and third here at JGE, would certainly make up for a year that has been good without being great for the former world No.1.

“I just want to give myself another chance to win a golf tournament. I’ve given myself plenty of chances this year, I just haven’t capitalised on those chances,” McIlroy said.

“I need to shoot another good round tomorrow to get myself right in contention on Sunday, and hopefully if I can do that, I can play some good golf and it would be nice to win for a third time out there.

“I have to be pleased [with Friday’s 67]. It’s a massive improvement considering the golf I’ve played the last couple weeks. So to shoot two scores in the 60s is great. I feel like today was even an improvement on yesterday. I missed a few putts that I felt just slid by the hole and there’s always something about playing with Patrick that seems to bring the best out of him, and I seem to play pretty well, too.”

Reed could only concur.

“It’s always fun to play with Rory. He’s a great guy. He’s a great competitor,” the 28-year-old Texan said.

“It’s always fun going out and playing with him. I enjoy it and it’s one of those things, I feel like we always seem to play pretty well when we’re playing with each other. I think we just kind of feed off each other and go out and try to shoot low numbers for the crowds.”

Any Ryder Cup chat?

“It was pretty friendly. It’s only Friday. We talked just about everything out there and just kind of enjoying the time. It beats being back at home where it’s 40 degrees, raining and blowing 30. To come over here and have this kind of weather, you’re kind of always in a good mood every time you’re here.”

Reed has finished T-10 in both his two previous DP World Tour Championship appearances with -12 and -15 returns in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The Masters champion, who entered the week fourth in the Race to Dubai standings but with no chance of finishing European No.1, is on track for another top performance.

So, what would a victory mean?

“To come over here and to play and be a member of the European Tour, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to be a worldwide player; to come overseas and to win an event would mean a lot.

“I haven’t won overseas yet. I haven’t won over here. To be able to come over here, especially the finale, to win the finale would mean a lot and it would definitely make Christmas a lot better.

“The thing is just to continue to hit the ball the way I’m doing, and if I can give myself birdie looks and birdie opportunities, I’m going to make some putts. I think that’s the key is hit the ball consistent, and from that point, just trust my instincts on my putter and let it go.”