Reed: Life good as Masters champion

In some ways, the U.S. Open has the feel of a victory lap for Patrick Reed. The glow from winning the Masters two months ago hasn’t worn off, keeping Reed in a celebratory mood as the year’s second major begins Thursday at Shinnecock Hills.

Reed might as well wear his green jacket to the first tee because his conquest at Augusta National is all anyone wants to talk about with him.

“It’s been awesome to be able to reflect on succeeding at something that we’ve worked so hard and dreamed of, winning a major,” Reed said Tuesday before hitting the driving range for an intense practice session. “To be able to win the first one of the year and to become Masters champion; it feels great. But we can’t wait to get back out to work and hopefully have a good week here and have a chance come late Sunday.”

There hasn’t been a Masters winner who has been scrutinized as heavily as Reed since Tiger Woods. Talk of how much he is disliked on Tour and his estrangement from his parents has dominated the post-Masters discussion as much as his one-shot victory in April. Most of that is old news now. All that really matters is that he arrives at Shinnecock as the only player in the 156-man field with a chance of completing a Grand Slam this year.

“I’m out there to try to win trophies,” Reed said. “I keep promising my daughter that I’m going to bring her home a trophy every time I leave the house. So Daddy needs to get on track and bring her home more trophies.”

There have been no trophies since the Masters. Reed was eighth at the Wells Fargo in Charlotte last month, but tied for 41st at the Players and 29th at the Memorial. Reed said dealing with the added attention that comes with being a Masters champion has been an adjustment, but it hasn’t impacted his golf.

“After winning a major, there’s going to be more obligations and more things that come besides playing golf,” Reed said. “You really have to know how to manage your time and manage your energy level.”