Reed says crowd cheering Rory spurred him to Masters victory
Patrick Reed has revealed how he channelled the Augusta crowd’s favouritism towards Rory McIlroy into his play on the final round of the Masters on Sunday.
Despite beating Rickie Fowler by one shot, the 27-year-old Reed was abreast of the fact his competitors were being favoured by the spectators in Georgia.
With Reed and McIlroy the final pair on Sunday, as the duo were announced on the first tee it became apparent that the Northern Irishman was of prominence in the hearts of on-lookers.
Reed said:
I walked up to the 1st tee and had a really welcoming cheer from the fans but then when Rory walked up to the tee, his cheer was a little louder. That’s another thing that just kind of played into my hands. Not only did it fuel my fire a little bit, but also it just takes the pressure off of me and adds it back to him.
I think that’s the biggest thing going into a Sunday, especially trying to win, for me trying to win my first [major]; for him, trying to win the career grand slam, it’s who is going to handle the pressure and who is going to have more pressure on them.
Despite being a regular fixture in the US Ryder Cup team, the Texan has never appeared to have been particularly welcomed by American golf fans, certainly not in the way stars like Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, and Phil Mickelson have been adored.
Reed was quick to dismiss popularity as a contributing factor to the varied receptions, however:
I don’t think it’s really as much a popularity thing with the fans as it is that Rory has been in this position before to win here,
He’s played some really solid golf here. A lot of people are wanting him to win to get that career grand slam.