Americans eye Reed boost for Ryder Cup
AUGUSTA, United States: Patrick Reed, one of America’s most formidable Ryder Cup weapons, will be even more fearsome come September thanks to his Masters victory.
That’s the view of three- time major winner Jordan Spieth, who was salivating at the thought of joining Reed and the rest of America’s best in the 42nd Ryder Cup matches against Europe at Le Golf National outside Paris.
“He’s a member of the Masters club now,” Spieth said.
“He’l l have a green jacket forever.
“His name is etched in history, and I’m sure he’s going to carry everything that he went through today as we go into Paris and try to win a Ryder Cup on European soil.”
Ominously for Europe, Reed became the fourth US Ryder Cup prospect to win a major since Spain’s Sergio Garcia won the Masters last year.
In two Ryder Cup appearances, Reed has won six of his nine matches. He’s a perfect 2-for-2 in singles – starting with a victory over Henrik Stenson at Gleneagles in 2014 during which Reed irked European fans with his notorious “shushing” gesture.
Spieth, who has teamed with Reed for seven wins in Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup play, was only sorry he didn’t get to go head-tohead with him down the back nine at Augusta on Sunday.
“It’s fun to battle Patrick, I love it,” said Spieth, who came from off the pace to finish third behind Reed and Rickie Fowler.
His name is etched in history, and I’m sure he’s going to carry everything that he went through today as we go into Paris and try to win a Ryder Cup on European soil. Jordan Spieth, three-time major winner
Spieth had racked up nine birdies, threatening the course record and gunning for what would have been an historic lastround rally, when his tee shot at 18 clipped a tree branch and dropped l ike a stone, leading to a bogey.
Reed’s brash confidence a nd g o - i t - a lone mentality have reportedly not endeared him to many of his PGA Tour colleagues. An ESPN poll in 2015 found him the second-most disliked player on the tour after Bubba Watson. But 2019 US Presidents Cup captain Tiger Woods is already eyeing Reed for his team. And Spieth said that Reed’s rivals relish their chances to take him on. “Everybody really likes battling Patrick, because he loves it so much and eats it up,” Spieth said. “My only wish or regret from the week was that I was playing with him at some point on the weekend, to be able to kind of fire back and forth, instead of finishing up so early.” Reed said the Ryder Cup pr e s sure he h a s thrived on differs from that of a major. “You go to a Ryder Cup and you feel like you have a whole nat ion on your back,” he said. “If you win or lose your mat c h , you s t i l l have a bunch of other guys there that could pick it up.” — AFP