Reed and Spieth in search for home help

JORDAN SPIETH and Patrick Reed first made names for themselves playing match-play with their stunning debuts at the 2014 Gleneagles Ryder Cup. In Texas this week, it’s at match-play where the pair will try to get their ailing careers back on track. Away from the prospect of Rory McIlroy versus Tiger Woods — if both come through their three group matches in the WGCMatch Play Championship, beginning today — Spieth and Reed (right) are searching for a little home comfort. Reed is in danger of turning up for his Masters defence in two weeks’ time in little better shape than Danny Willett two years ago. At the Valspar last week, Reed’s wife Justine phoned David Leadbetter for help. Leadbetter is one of the best coaches in the game, but he’s someone with whom Reed has never had a proper conversation before, much less trusted him to look over his swing. Over two emergency sessions, after Reed had missed the cut by miles in Florida, Leadbetter pointed out that his backswing had got too long. For Spieth — without a top 10 since the Open last July — this week’s Austin Country Club venue is one he used to play at least twice a week during his days at the University of Texas. Right now, he could do with every advantage he can grasp. For McIlroy, the prospect of meeting Woods is on the back burner. ‘Right now, it’s just about winning my first match, given I haven’t managed that for the last two years,’ he said. Giving a clear idea where his priorities lie, he said the ebb and flow of match-play was ideal preparation for the stressful challenges ahead.