Patrick Reed on top at the DP World Tour Championship

Twelve months on from the darkest of December days, Patrick Reed showed off the Jekyll side of his character with a wonderfully fluent 64 on Friday to take charge of both the DP World Tour Championship and the season-long Race to Dubai.

An enthralling weekend is in prospect with Reed promising a ‘shootout’ against England’s elite after his 10-under par total put him two clear of Matt Fitzpatrick, with Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood also in touch.

Patrick Reed of the USA lines up a putt on the 18th green during Day Two of the DP World Tour Championship which he leads by two shots heading into the weekend

Reed’s score of 64  has also seen him take charge of the Race to Dubai on the European Tour

How different to a year ago when Reed was involved in a ‘cheating’ storm in the Bahamas when a tough lie in a bunker became easier after he had flattened the sand twice during practice swings. He was penalised two shots.

It is invariably another Reed who shows up on the European Tour, where he is popular for his willingness to support events with — it should be said — no appearance money changing hands. Mind you, he will not need any if he claims the Race to Dubai by winning the tournament as he will pick up a cool £2.65million.