Reed silences critics after Mexico victory

AMERICAN PATRICK Reed has vowed to “block out all the noise” surrounding him following his victory in the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Reed carded a final round of 67 at Chapultepec Golf Club to finish 18 under par, a shot ahead of Ryder Cup team-mate Bryson DeChambeau, and claim his eighth PGA Tour title.

The 29-year-old’s performance was all the more impressive given that it came in a week when his conduct on the course came under renewed scrutiny, initially regarding the two-shot penalty he received during the Hero World Challenge in December.

Reed said he had not intended to improve his lie by removing sand behind his ball during two practice swings, but that explanation cut little ice with many players, including former world No 1 Brooks Koepka, who said in an interview: “I don’t know what he was doing, building sand castles in the sand, but you know where your club is.”

Asked in his post-round press conference on Sunday if he felt he had something to prove, Reed said: “I felt like I had something to prove to myself coming into this week because I feel like I’ve been playing some really solid golf and just haven’t quite gotten over that hump to get the W (win).

“But then coming into this week, I knew we were in a good pattern and all I needed to do was continue to improve on my game, but at the same time just block out all the noise, no matter what it was. I feel like I’ve been able to do that really well throughout my career.”