Rory McIlroy insists he “didn’t feel the need” to acknowledge Patrick Reed and would have expected a lawsuit if he’d thrown a tee at the American.

While he’s taking legal action against the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, Reed tried to make peace with McIlroy on the range at the Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic but was ignored by the world number one and allegedly flicked a tee in his direction in disgust.

The American told reporters he just threw the tee down in disgust but McIlroy is clearly in no mood to make peace with the LIV Golf defector after being served with a supoena by Reed’s lawyer on Christmas Eve as a “co-conspirator” in a class action case Reed is taking against the PGA Tour.

“I didn't see it,” McIlroy said of the tee. “I was down by my bag and he came up to me, and I was busy working and sort of doing my practise, and I didn't really feel like -- I didn't feel the need to acknowledge him.

“So I didn't see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently that's what happened. And if roles were reversed and I'd have of thrown that tee at him, I'd be expecting him a lawsuit.”

McIlroy admitted he didn’t feel the need to “duck” the tee as he didn’t even see it.

“I didn't duck,” he said. “I didn't see, it, no. My back was turned to him.”

Pointedly, he added that Reed could not have expected a warm greeting considering the litigation he has launched. 

“I mean, exactly, right,” McIlroy said. “Like that's -- I mean, I got a subpoena on Christmas Eve. I mean, I don't see your -- like you can't pretend like nothing's happening, right.

“I think that's the thing. Like why -- we are living in reality here. He's -- no, so...”

Asked if he could see himself “mending bridges” with Reed, McIlroy stared back at his inquisitor with an incredulous expression.

Pressed Ina subsequent TV interview for details on what happened, McIlroy said: “Nothing. Patrick came up to say hello and I didn't really want him to.

“In my -- from my recollection, that was it. I didn't see a tee. I didn't feel a tee. Obviously someone else saw that. But it's definitely a storm in a teacup. Obviously nothing -- I can't believe it's actually turned into a story. Yeah, it's nothing.”

Despite all that, he admitted Reed’s lawsuit was a problem.

“Yeah, I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So of course, 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.

“So again, 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.”

As for mending bridges with Sergio Garcia, who is eligible for a Ryder Cup wildcard from Luke Donald as an honorary member of the Dp World Tour, McIlroy was clear.

“No,” he said.

Pressed again -“No way?” - he simply shook his head.

McIlroy and Tiger Woods have said Greg Norman must step down as CEO of LIV Golf if a peace deal is to be brokered.

But Norman now has even more power at LIV Golf after Sports Illustrated reported Majed Al-Sorour, the managing director of LIV Golf, will leave that role but continue as one of seven members of the LIV Golf board of directors. 

Al-Sorour's role with LIV Golf is not being filled, meaning more power for Norman.

McIlroy insists that means Norman's position is now a more solitary figure than ever, weakening his position.

"I mean, if the Chief Executive doesn't have an executive team, I don't know how strong that is," McIlroy said. 

"I mean, he can't do it himself. He needs to rely on a team just like all of us rely on teams, right, to do things.

"You know, you sort operating in a silo, it starts to get pretty difficult."

McIlroy admitted he was mentally drained and needed a long winter break after taking on the burden of the unofficial spokesman for the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV.

Hoping he has less to do this year, he said: "I mean, I think there is -- on reflection last year, I felt like I needed to take on quite a lot.

But I think getting the wheels in motion of how hopefully the new system and the new -- yeah, I keep calling it a product, but the new structure of professional golf, like getting those wheels in motion, it look a lot of effort last year, but now those wheels are in motion. 

“We just have to try to tidy up the schedule for 2024. But I feel like most of the heavy lifting was done last year.

"We still have quite a bit of work to do, but you know hopefully this year it won't be quite as taxing."

As things stand Jon Rahm will take over from McIlroy as world number one if he wins his fifth event in seven starts by claiming the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

The event starts today and finishes on Saturday but McIlroy sees the Spaniard’s hot form as nothing but a positive for Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes.

“It's unbelievable for Europe's Ryder Cup chances and just morale in that,” McIlroy said. “I thought The Hero Cup was a great thing a couple of weeks ago for our Ryder Cup chances. You see Jon play the way he's playing; it's amazing.

“Like we all know Jon is one of the best players in the world, whether there's a 1 beside his name or a 2 beside his name, it doesn't really matter.

“He's won four of his last six events. He's playing some of the best golf he's played in his career. He's not had a long career but all of his career, he's played consistently at a very, very high level.

“So I think we all know that Jon Rahm is one of the best players in the world, so I don't think that's a surprise.

“But it's been amazing start to the year, and I haven't watched that much. I watched a little bit of Hawai'i.

“I didn't really watch much of the American Express last week. But he started off the first two tournaments of the year shooting 27-under at both of them. That's pretty impressive.”