The Asian Age

Reed flies into Masters top spot on two eagles

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Augusta ( United States), April 8: Patrick Reed fired two late eagles on a rain- softened Augusta National course to seize a three- shot lead over Rory McIlroy after the third round of the Masters on Saturday.

Reed’s 5- under par 67 for a 14- under total of 202 through 54 holes was his third straight round in the 60s and more than enough to keep him atop the leaderboar­d in search of his first major title, even as McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Jon Rahm all posted 7- under par 65s.

“I think the biggest thing is just going out and playing golf, trying not to let the moment overwhelm me,” said Reed, who notched his first top- 10 at a major last August at the PGA Championsh­ip.

Reed certainly did that, his four birdies including three in a row at the eighth, ninth and 10th after McIlroy had pitched in for eagle at the eighth to pull level.

McIlroy, who can complete a career Grand Slam with a first Masters win, was alone in second on 205 with Fowler third on 207 and world number three Rahm on 208 after a day when threatened thundersto­rms failed to materializ­e.

Instead, intermitte­nt showers only served to make Augustas treacherou­s greens a little more benign.

Famed for his unflinchin­g play on US Ryder Cup match play teams, 27- year- old Reed threatened to make it a runaway with his eagles at 13 and 15, swelling his lead to as many as five shots.

He curled in a 14- foot eagle putt at the 13th, then saw his chip at 15 hit the green and race toward the hole, striking the pin and dropping in.

McIlroy, who started the day five shots off Reeds halfway lead, started narrowing the gap with back- to- back birdies at the third and fourth.

After an unlikely par at the fifth, where his shot from the fairway bunker caught the lip but kept travelling, he tapped in for birdie at the sixth before holing his sand wedge for eagle at the eighth.

 ?? AP ?? Patrick Reed celebrates his eagle chip in the third round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta on Saturday.—
AP Patrick Reed celebrates his eagle chip in the third round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta on Saturday.—

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