Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed says becoming the second American to be crowned European No 1 would mean “a lot” and insists he has “no excuses” as he looks to extend his advantage over Rory McIlroy after returning from a shoulder injury.

Reed will tee it up at the Open de Espana from Thursday in his first appearance since withdrawing during the second round of the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month.

The 36-year-old – aiming to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Collin Morikawa, who won the Race to Dubai in 2021 – is around 300 points clear of McIlroy with five DP World Tour events remaining.

McIlroy is not playing in Spain this week but is set to appear at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi from October 15.

Reed has topped the standings since February after victories at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Qatar Masters sandwiched a play-off defeat at the Bahrain Championship, with the 2018 Masters champion also recording three further top-10 finishes.

The Texan said: “I’ve always prided myself as being that American that likes to play around the world. To have the opportunity to come over here, not only just play on this tour, but also to have a chance to win the Race to Dubai, it would mean a lot.

“[Gary Player once told me], ‘if you want to be a worldwide player, you’ve got to go out and play outside of the PGA Tour’.

“Once I got the opportunity to come over and play, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully I can bring more Americans over and more of the top players come out and play around the world, help grow the game.”

I’ve always wanted to earn my spot rather than having a spot given. Those guys on LIV, there are pathways, whether it’s to here on the DP (World Tour) or to the PGA Tour. I feel the only way you should be able to get back is by going out there and letting the clubs do the talking.”

Reed ‘uncomfortable’ but ‘able to perform’

Reed, runner-up to Shane Lowry at the Amgen Irish Open in September, said of the injury he sustained at Wentworth: “Never saw it coming. It was my first time withdrawing during a round of golf due to injury. I would rather shoot a million than withdraw.

“When I went in, the hand was all swollen. Any time it was touched, I was in a lot of pain, so they thought I might have broken something inside the hand. The hand was OK and it ended up being a shoulder issue. The good thing is it only set me back one week.

“It might be uncomfortable but at the same time I’m able to perform and do what I’m supposed to do in swinging the golf club.

“So no excuses – go out there, continue grinding and hopefully finish off the year strong.”

Three-time Open de Espana champion Jon Rahm will not play in his home tournament with Spanish media saying the 31-year-old is in the USA awaiting the birth of his daughter.

England’s Marco Penge is the defending champion in Madrid, while the field also includes Lowry, Justin Rose, Ludvig Åberg and Sergio Garcia, as well as Eugenio Chacarra, who sits third in the Race to Dubai standings behind Reed and McIlroy.

Reed, who quit LIV Golf earlier this year in order to pursue a return to the PGA Tour from 2027, has not played in the Ryder Cup since the 2018 edition in France, at which he criticised captain Jim Furyk’s decisions as America tumbled to a heavy defeat to Europe.

Furyk is back as US skipper for the 2027 tournament in Ireland and asked at a year-to-go press conference on Tuesday whether Reed was in his plans, he said: “We are going to put the best 12 guys, the best team of 12. If Patrick Reed is one of those, that’s great.”

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Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as “the most wonderful thing that can happen to you” after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

The 39-year-old ends his international career with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team’s history, with his 126 goals for Argentina also a record.

Messi won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas during his 21-year spell on the international stage.

On an emotional night, Messi also created the first two goals, assisting first another departing Argentina player in 38-year-old centre-back Nicolas Otamendi and then Nico Paz.

“I feel so many emotions,” Messi, who announced his international retirement following this summer’s World Cup and the death of his father, said in quotes reported by the Argentinean Football Association.

“The first thing I think about is my old man. I can only express my gratitude; it was a tremendous honour to wear this jersey for over 20 years.

“I never stopped fighting, never stopped giving my all. I swear to you that I’d like to come back for life, because playing for the Argentina national team is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you.”

After a goalless first half in which Benin threatened not to stick to the script, Otamendi fired home after the visitors failed to clear a Messi corner.

Paz doubled Argentina’s lead from the edge of the area after 61 minutes and inevitably Messi had the last word when Tamimou Ouorou’s clumsy challenge on Agustin Giay resulted in a penalty, which the Inter Miami forward blasted into the top corner.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said of his captain: “It’s been a dream come true. I never thought I’d be the coach of the best footballer in history.

“We are eternally grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to be with him.

“The tears are because so many things are going through my head. Not seeing him anymore will be sad; he leaves us with an incredible legacy.

“The feeling of having him (Messi) on your side is incomparable- I’ve never seen that aura in anyone else in my life.”

Messi’s final Argentina game in pictures