AUGUSTA, Ga. — There is certainly something different about Patrick Reed with this 82nd Masters, more than just his flawless putting and his implacable veneer. In some way, he seems to have found a way to funnel his conspicuous displays of devoted fervor in team match-play events— so overpowering that he sometimes seems on the precipice of rage— directly into his competitive arsenal when traveling solo in stroke play.
It’ s not really the easiest transformation, not when you can’ t share your enthusiasm along with your countrymen, who one week a year are usually happy that you bring your A-game along with your alpha-male attitude. But just for that one week.
Yes, Reed’ s definitely various. And the leader board is the definite proof. Despite an array of notable competitors bleeding red numbers ahead of your pet, Reed on Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club was simply unflappable. With a five-under 67 under greyish skies and intermittent showers, Reed increased his second-round lead simply by another stroke and will enter Sunday’ s final round with a three-stroke cushion and loads of confidence.
The fact that his closest challenger is a surging Rory McIlroy, who is vying for the career Great Slam, didn’ t appear to stage the Texas native, who using a 14-under 202 total will rest on a 54-hole lead in a main for the first time.
Alfredia Iooss
“ I’ m not around to play Rory. I’ m around to play the golf course, ” Reed, 27, said in trying to downplay the significance of being paired with McIlroy, his opponent in a raucous Ryder Cup public match in 2016 at Hazeltine in which Reed was released on top. “ At the end of the day, if I head out and I feel pleased with how I perform, then it should be an enjoyable Sunday night time. But really, I’ meters just going to go out there and luxuriate in the day, play some golf plus, hopefully, go out and shoot an additional round in the 60s. ”
Were he to achieve that, the one-time star for the two-time NCAA champion Augusta University not just would threaten the tournament rating record of 18 under, distributed by Tiger Woods and Michael jordan Spieth, but he also might become the first player in Experts history to break 70 in all four models .
This particular from a player who in his earlier four Masters starts produced the scant two rounds under par— none in the 60s. This from the five-time PGA Tour winner that has mustered just one top-10 finish inside a major championship. But the how so when of that top-10 effort weighs significantly on these proceedings.
It was at the last main contested, the PGA Championship 8 months ago at Quail Hollowed out Club in Charlotte, where Reed tied for second just 2 shots behind champion Justin Jones. At the time he believed it was the breakthrough that would propel him in order to more chances in majors.
And here he is within the very next one, battering the stacked leader board with an overall solid performance that has produced eighteen birdies, two eagles— both to the back nine Saturday— and a weak feeling for all but a few chasers. Simply seven players are within 8 shots of Reed, a perimeter that has significant historical context.
An eight-stroke debt is the largest anyone has conquer in the Masters after 54 openings. And Jack Burke needed Tobey maguire Venturi to shoot 80 that will final day in 1956 in order to win the green jacket.
Indeed, it is not uncommon for a player to build on prior results. But the process seldom functions so swiftly, especially for a guy who have hasn’ t won anything considering that 2016.
Obviously, it’ s a fallacy that will no one remembers who finishes 2nd in a major.
Christian Iooss
“ I think the biggest issue was on one of the rounds once i played, I hit three overall greens and only shot one more than par, ” said Reed, mentioning his second-round 73, which was 2 over par at Quail Hollowed out. “ To be able to feel like a person played that poorly on ball‑ striking and salvage your circular and then to be able to pull off a second‑ place finish at a major, We felt like I left a lot around and felt like I should have earned the golf tournament.
“ That just offered me the belief that, hey, you don’ to need to put four perfect models together to win out right here, especially at majors. You are able to put four decent rounds, and when you are playing well, you have a great chance come Sunday. That was the largest thing, just put in perspective, whether or not it’ s a major or whether or not it’ s a regular tournament, you are able to go out there, and as long as you can take care of your mistakes, you can still contend and win golf tournaments. ”
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It doesn’ t hurt that will Reed, ranked 24th in the world, prospective customers the field in putting, always essential at Augusta National. And it is associated with further comfort that he comes in publishing top-10 finishes in his last 3 tour starts.
In just his 17th major tournament, Reed appears to have figured out a lot about how these things work. More importantly, they have figured out how he works and the way to bring out his best when he or she plays for himself. He merely works up some Ryder Glass rage, if you will.
“ It’ s simply kind of one of those things that I’ ve been working on it and seeking to tap into Ryder Cups more and more trying to play some solid golf, ” he said, noting that when prosperous, he can kick his golf “ into another gear. ”
Which explains Reed’ s reaction when McIlroy’ ersus miracle chip-in eagle at Number 8 pulled him into a link atop the leader board. Reed replied with three straight birdies beginning at the same hole and then two-putted just for eagle at 13 and damaged in for his second eagle in 15. “ It’ s one of those things that I was able to get into that will mode and get into that energy and just try to keep going. ”
He needs to maintain it going for 18 more holes. Probably seeing Northern Ireland’ s McIlroy beside him all day will perpetuate the feeling of intensity that acts him so well in group play, whether at Augusta University or college or in the Ryder Cup or even Presidents Cup.
Reed always seems so desperate to please others in that milieu. Now he can do something for himself. Through himself.
