Reed Misses Spanish Open Cut as Race to Dubai Battle Tightens

Patrick Reed's return from injury ended in frustration at the Open de España, as the Race to Dubai leader missed the halfway cut in Madrid on two over par — one shot outside the line at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

The American, playing his first event since a shoulder injury forced him out of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, had insisted there would be "no excuses" in Madrid. But after wins in Dubai and Qatar built a lead of roughly 300 points over Rory McIlroy, Reed leaves Spain unable to extend his advantage with five events remaining. McIlroy, chasing a fifth straight Race to Dubai crown and a record-tying eighth overall, is not in the field and returns at the DP World India Championship next week — so the real threat now comes from third-placed Chacarra, who sits two shots off the lead despite a fractured toe and would leapfrog both rivals with a win on Sunday.

Grant Forrest leads at nine under after a second-round 67, with Connor Syme and Joel Girrbach one back. Shane Lowry ground out a level-par 71 to make the weekend, while Tom McKibbin joined Reed in missing the cut. The third round is underway Saturday.