Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau are set up for an incredible showdown at The Masters on Sunday, but Patrick Reed is not counting himself out as he flies under the radar at Augusta National
Patrick Reed is happy to lurk in the shadows at Augusta National on Sunday as he hopes to make a late run for the Green Jacket (
Image: Harry How/Getty Images)
Patrick Reed says he is happy to go under the radar as Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau prepare to duel for the Green Jacket at Augusta National on Sunday.
LIV Golf star Reed, who won the Masters in 2018, sits at six-under-par, six shots adrift of leader McIlroy ahead of the final 18 holes. DeChambeau produced two sensational birdies in his final three holes on Saturday to get to 10-under and within two shots of the lead.
Reed has been a mere footnote on the television coverage throughout the tournament, with few of his shots making the live broadcast, but he produced his third consecutive under-par round of the week on Saturday, going round in three-under to give himself an outside chance of slipping on the Green Jacket for the second time.
The 34-year-old is in a share of fourth place, tucked in behind Corey Conners, who sits at eight-under-par after a frustrating Saturday as chances to get on terms with the top two passed the Canadian by.
Reed will likely need to produce the round of his life and hope that McIlroy and DeChambeau falter, but he is more than happy to lurk in the shadows as he gets down to business on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy put on a show at Augusta National on Saturday ( Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“It’s kind of one of those things that with Rory playing the way he’s playing and at the same time with Scottie [Scheffler] coming in and being defending champion, everyone is focusing so much on those two. I don’t mind it. I don’t mind flying under the radar and having a chance,” Reed said.
“My biggest thing is just to keep plugging along, and each day I’ve gotten a little better score-wise, and tomorrow hopefully, it’s a lot better.”
DeChambeau boosted his chances with a long-range birdie putt at the last ( Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Reed has the benefit of immense course knowledge and confidence that he can get the job done at Augusta National, and he is wise enough to know that even though he has a big gap to the leaders to bridge, he cannot take too many risks otherwise he will be punished and knocked out of contention entirely.
“I think that’s the hardest thing. At Augusta, you start being aggressive, that’s then when it bites you. It bites you hard, bites you quick. This golf course is all about patience, giving yourself opportunities,” Reed said.
“The great thing about this golf course is you don’t always have to attack the flag to get it close. You have enough slopes. You have enough ridges that you can use it to your advantage to get the ball closer to the hole.
“As long as you’ve done your homework, you know those areas. If you’re hitting the ball well, you’re hitting your spots, then you can kind of play a little higher percentage golf shot that still has an opportunity to get close.”
