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Rory McIlroy in no mood for reunion, reconciliation with Patrick Reed

AP file photo by Martin Dokoupil / Rory McIlroy, No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is returning to competition at the Dubai Desert Classic this week after an extended break at the end of last year and into 2023.
AP file photo by Martin Dokoupil / Rory McIlroy, No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is returning to competition at the Dubai Desert Classic this week after an extended break at the end of last year and into 2023. AP file photo by Martin Dokoupil / Rory McIlroy, No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is returning to competition at the Dubai Desert Classic this week after an extended break at the end of last year and into 2023.

By STEVE DOUGLAS / The Associated Press 5 min read

Another battle between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed began to take shape Wednesday.

As one of the most vocal critics of the LIV Golf League — which includes multiple players who broke away from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit when it launched as an eight-event series in 2022 — McIlroy felt mentally drained at the end of last year and decided to put his clubs away for a few weeks.

“It’s been nice,” McIlroy said, “to try to take a little bit of time away, and try to sort of distance myself from the game of golf.”

Now he’s back and appears to be as fiery as ever.

McIlroy, currently No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, was on the driving range Tuesday to prepare for the Dubai Desert Classic when he was approached by Reed, one of the higher-profile players who was part of the exodus to LIV Golf. McIlroy said he was busy practicing and didn’t feel the need to acknowledge Reed.