REED IS TIGER’S PICK
Ryder Cup critic ready for Presidents role
Patrick reed’s day began with a telephone call from captain tiger Woods informing him that he was getting a wildcard for america’s Presidents cup team.
dressed in tiger red, the former Masters champion then went out and shot a second-round 65 to move into contention at halfway in the turkish airlines Open.
reed’s selection did not meet with universal approval back home. Just 12 months ago, he delivered a scathing verdict on his ryder cup team-mates following their shocking loss to europe, telling them they needed to do a ‘better job of leaving their egos at the door’.
the self-proclaimed captain america, who rather turned up without his shield in Paris a year ago, is confident there will be no animosity when he links up with many of the same players against ernie els’s international team in australia next month.
‘i think we’ve all moved on, and i’m sure we’re all excited for the match and being led by tiger,’ he said. ‘i’m looking forward to doing my thing and riling up the crowd.’
Following his landmark 82nd PGa tour victory in Japan 10 days ago, it was no surprise that Woods also selected himself to become the first playing captain for 25 years, with Us Open champion Gary Woodland and tony Finau completing his four selections.
reed (right) might rub some people up the wrong way, but he deserves credit for not only supporting his own tour but playing more on the european tour than some of the leading europeans. Neither is he getting appearance money. He played with 23-year-old scottish sensation Bob Macintyre, and what an exhibition they put on. the lefty from Oban edged it with a marvellous 63 he called the best round he’s ever played. danny Willett is a shot off the lead held by austrian Matthias schwab, with Justin rose just two back, in position to become the first man in nearly 20 years to win the same european tour event three years in a row. Macintyre is three off the lead with reed four back.
it is a year now since Willett returned to the big-time by winning the dP World tour championship in dubai. When he returns in a fortnight’s time, he could be in position to win the whole race to dubai if he can follow his win in the BMW PGa championship at Wentworth in september with another victory here. ‘From dubai it’s been a pretty pleasant 11 months,’ said the Yorkshireman.