AUGUSTA, Ga. — Patrick Reed, often flying under the radar lately, has emerged as a strong contender at the Masters this year.
He’s proven to be a formidable player at Augusta National, having clinched the green jacket in 2018 and notching impressive finishes: third last year, fourth in 2023, eighth in 2021, and tenth in 2020.
On Thursday, Reed began the tournament with a solid 3-under 69, further solidifying his reputation at the Masters.
Currently, he sits two strokes behind the leaders, Rory McIlroy and Sam Barnes, both at 5 under par.
Reed was 5 under after the first nine holes, showing promising form. However, he dropped shots on the 10th and 15th holes, which was a bit unexpected.
“Honestly, I felt like I played better than my score reflected. I hit some good shots, had opportunities, and made a few putts,” Reed remarked.
Curious about when he starts thinking about the Masters, Reed candidly replied, “I think about it all the time.” But he tries to keep his focus on the present.
“It’s one of those places; the harder I think about it, the more it weighs on me,” he said, reflecting on the pressure of the event.
“That’s my approach. When you’re getting ready for your first major, there’s a tendency to put too much pressure on yourself. It’s tricky,” he continued. “In our sport, trying too hard often leads to mistakes. Unlike other sports where effort usually translates to success, in golf, pushing too hard can backfire.”
Having recently transitioned away from LIV Golf, Reed aims to make a comeback on the PGA Tour after a year filled with challenges.
“I’m just adhering to the rules and fulfilling my commitments as laid out in the player’s handbook. I’m really excited to return to the PGA Tour and finish my career where it all began,” he expressed.
