Reed shines in strong winds

Shanghai – If Patrick Reed (above) felt any concern after stirring Ryder Cup controversy, he showed no trace of it yesterday in posting a superb eight-under-par 64 for the opening-round lead at the WGC-HSBC Champions.

In his first start since last month’s heavy US defeat to Europe, the reigning Masters champ overcame gusting winds en route to an eight-birdie, bogey-free performance at the $10 million tournament in Shanghai.

Reed, 28, whose competitive attitude is often seen as cocky and abrasive, had raised hackles by criticising US team captain Jim Furyk’s Ryder Cup pairings.

But he let his game do the talking at par-72 Sheshan International Golf Course, rolling in lengthy putts for birdie on his second and third holes and sticking an approach one foot from the pin for another birdie two holes later to ignite the scoring spree.

“It was pumping out there,” Reed said of the swirling winds.

“It felt really good. To shoot a round like that in these kinds of conditions, you know you’re going to have confidence when the wind dies down.”

Fellow American Xander Schauffle and Reed’s Ryder Cup team-mate Tony Finau finished tied for second, two strokes back.

Reed had said after the Ryder Cup that he was “blindsided” by being grouped with Tiger Woods rather than Jordan Spieth, with whom Reed formed a potent team in USA’s 2016 victory. Reed, whose comments were chief among the recriminations in the US camp after their 17.5 to 10.5 loss at Le Golf National, had alleged that Spieth refused to play with him.