Patrick Reed Lowdown On The Masters Leader at Augusta National

published 6 April 2018

Patrick Reed leads the 2018 Masters at the halfway stage, but what do we know about the American, other than the fact he's one competitive individual (see Ryder Cup highlights reel)?

Patrick Reed Lowdown On The Masters Leader

As we reach the halfway stage of the US Masters, one names sits atop the leaderboard - America's Patrick Reed, at nine-under-par.

It's a name many armchair golf fans will know well after his Ryder Cup antics at the 2016 contest, where the colourful Texan went head-to-head with Rory McIlroy in a memorable match high on emotion.

However, it's no surprise Reed - who attended Augusta University- sits top of the pile after 36 holes, even if he has missed two cuts from his four Augusta appearances to date, with a best place finish of T22 in 2015.

Last year he missed the cut after posting scores of 76 and 77. In fact, in his 12 previous rounds at Augusta National, prior to yesterday's 69, he had failed to break 70. That said, he arrived in Georgia in good form.

Related: US Masters Leaderboard

The 27-year-old, who tuned pro in 2011, has five PGA Tour victories to his name, the most recent of those coming at The Barclays in 2016. He also boasts a World Golf Championship victory - that win coming at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in 2014.

Last month, the world number 24 had a putt to win on the final hole at the Valspar Championship in Florida, but he saw his first effort roll back to where it started, which gifted Paul Casey the title.

However, he backed up that tie for second spot with another top 10 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before heading to the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, where he won a tight match against Jordan Spieth, eventually exiting in the latter stages.

Indeed, it's the matchplay environment that brings out the best in the fiery American. Playing in two editions of the Ryder Cup, Reed is unbeaten in the singles, his last scalp the one of Rory McIlroy at Hazeltine.

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Like Woods, Reed competes in Sunday red - a ritual that has attracted criticism from some golf fans, who refuse to believe anyone other than the 14-time Major winner can 'own' a Sunday colour.

However, he says it's a homage to Woods - although he'll not be donning red this Sunday. Instead, he'll be teeing it up in pink, with his sponsor, Nike, dictating the colourways for its athletes.

Whatever colour he turns out in over the weekend, it's the Green Jacket he hopes to be slipping on come Sunday evening.

Golf Monthly is at the 2018 US Masters and you can follow all the action from Augusta right here and at our social media channels.

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Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's now a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including six world number ones, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups. He's a member of Formby Golf Club.

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