FARMINGDALE, NY - AUGUST 28: Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the fifth hole during the final round of The Barclays in the PGA Tour FedExCup Play-Offs on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on August 28, 2016 in Farmingdale, New York.
Patrick Reed may not be the most recognizable name in golf, but now he could be after winning the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National on Sunday.
The 27-year-old San Antonio native finished with a one-under-par 71 for a 72-hole total of 15-under 273 en route to his first major event win.
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Reed closed one stroke ahead of Rickie Fowler, a favorite to win the Masters who recorded six birdies in his final 11 holes to finish with a 67. Jordan Spieth, the 2015 victor at Augusta, closed two strokes behind Reed.
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After Reed — ranked 24th in the PGA Tour — sank a 4-foot shot to claim the victory, his caddie and brother-in-law Kessler Karain reportedly whispered “great f—g job” in his ear.
“It’s who is going to handle the pressure, and who is going to have more pressure on them,” Reed said of the feel of the competition. “Honestly, I felt like a lot of that pressure was kind of lifted and kind of taken off me. … You had a lot of the guys picking him to win over me, and it’s one of those things that the more chatter you hear in your ear about expectations and everything, the harder it is to play golf.”
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, was the only golfer in the top 16 to not break par. The 28-year-old Northern Irishman expressed frustration with his performance and said he would reflect on what he could have improved.
Spieth almost got rid of a nine-stroke deficit with a 64. He said many golfers enjoy playing against Reed because of the energy he brings to the game.
“Everybody loves battling Patrick,” Spieth said, “because he loves it so much and eats it up.”
Reed allegedly garnered a reputation as a player with several off-the-course issues during his time in college. He was reportedly kicked off his team at the University of Georgia. Then at Augusta State, his misdeeds reportedly included an arrest for underage drinking and also committed cheating violations, according to ESPN. Reed cited his coach Josh Gregory as one of the people who most helped him get his act together and change his behavior.
Tiger Woods shot a 69 Sunday to close at one over for the week.
Watch more 2018 Masters highlights here:
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