Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed have shown signs of ending their long-running feud at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi, exchanging friendly greetings before the tournament began.
The thaw follows years of tension rooted in professional golf's competing tours and a legal dispute that McIlroy once cited as his reason for refusing to acknowledge Reed.
According to Sportstar, McIlroy said on October 15, 2026, that the disappearance of legal tensions had helped both players move forward.
The Northern Irishman also praised Reed's approach to returning to the PGA Tour after leaving LIV Golf earlier in the year.
McIlroy entered the event trailing Reed in the Race to Dubai standings, according to GolfMagic.
A victory in New Delhi would let McIlroy overtake his rival as he chases an eighth season-long order of merit title, matching Colin Montgomerie's record.
After a two-under-par opening round, McIlroy acknowledged that the legal dispute no longer stood between the players.
"There are no lawsuits anymore, so that helps (laughs)," McIlroy said, according to Sportstar.
McIlroy credited Reed's determination and conduct during his PGA Tour return, describing their past meetings as competitive battles rather than grounds for personal hostility.
"Patrick has put his head down and let the clubs do the talking," McIlroy said.
"Patrick and I have had some battles over the years, and I respect him as a competitor.
The character he has shown in coming back to the PGA Tour has meant a lot to the guys on the Tour."
"He has done it the right way. That speaks a lot about who he is and how he has evolved," he added.
A contrast with Dubai 2023
The latest interaction contrasts sharply with their encounter at the 2023 Dubai Desert Classic.
Reed approached McIlroy at the practice range, but the Northern Irishman declined to acknowledge him after receiving a legal subpoena from Reed's lawyer on Christmas Eve.
McIlroy previously explained his reaction and the personal circumstances surrounding it.
"Patrick came up to say hello," McIlroy said. "I didn't really want him to."
He said the legal notice had affected his willingness to exchange pleasantries.
"I'm trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you're not going to take that well," McIlroy said.
He also defended his decision to ignore Reed at the practice range.
"I'm living in reality, I don't know where he's living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't expect a hello or a handshake," McIlroy said.
Reed's departure from LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour have helped change the circumstances around the rivalry.
GolfMagic reported that McIlroy praised Reed for letting his performance on the course support his return to the established tour.
Separately, a Yahoo Sports report published on October 17 examined the financial uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf and its wider implications for players involved in disputes over their professional futures.
It cited reports on Jon Rahm's negotiations to leave the league, including a reported decision to relinquish a potential £75 million claim as part of an exit agreement.
The same report described uncertainty over LIV Golf's future following financial difficulties and unsuccessful efforts to secure proposed financing for a renewed operation.
McIlroy will play the opening two rounds in New Delhi alongside Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre, according to GolfMagic.
Reed's opening-round group includes Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai.
