Reed finds it ‘awesome’ to be going into another major as Masters champion

Patrick Reed, Masters champion. That’s how Reed will be introduced after his victory at Augusta National in April. When he plays this week’s US Open, that title carries a lot more than simply status for him.

“It’s been a whirlwind for sure,” Reed said of becoming a major winner. “It’s awesome to be able to reflect on succeeding in something you’ve desired and worked so hard: being Masters champion. To be able to come to the US Open after winning the last major adds a little more confidence and self-belief about being able to win the tournament because you’ve done it before.”

Regardless of how many tournaments or majors he wins, Reed doesn’t see the challenge as being where he might rank on a list of champions, though he wants plenty more titles. It’s more about his maximum performances.

“Me versus myself,” he said. “If I go out there and set a goal and fall short of a certain number, that’s what I am chasing. If you improve every aspect every day, you get better overall.”

There’s a fringe benefit to more wins, too. “I’m out there to try to win trophies. I keep on promising my daughter that I’ll bring home trophies,” Reed said. “Daddy needs to get on track and win more trophies.”

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth’s name may be on the trophy, but an important change to this year’s US Open had escaped his attention.

The USGA announced in February that it had abandoned its 18-hole, next-day format for play-offs in favour of a two-hole aggregate play-off on Sunday evening, starting this week at Shinnecock Hills.

But that was news to threetime major winner and 2015 champion Spieth when asked about the change at his pretournament press conference. “It’s the first I’ve heard of that being an option,” said Spieth, who would have faced an 18-hole play-off with Dustin Johnson at Chambers Bay had the world No 1 not missed from three feet for birdie on the 72nd hole. “I didn’t even know. I guess strategy changes a little from an entire round, but I honestly had no idea that it even changed. I was even looking at a weather forecast for Monday, thinking what’s it look like if you happen to work your way into a play-off. Shows you what I know.”

Spieth, pictured, is the only member of the world’s top six without a victory this season, but the 24-year-old is confident he can enjoy a strong second half to the season. “I think my patience has been tested, just not going into Saturday or Sunday with a legitimate chance to win,” he added.

“Compared to previous years, the limited number of chances I’ve had on the weekends has been frustrating. I feel like my game is in the best shape it’s been in a long time, including last year.”