Reed holds nerve to seal Masters glory and maiden Major
American Patrick Reed held his nerve to secure the first Major of his career after defeating fellow countryman Rickie Fowler by a single stroke at the Masters at Augusta National.
Starting the day with a three-shot lead, Reed saw off challenges at different stages from former world No1s Rory McIlory and Jordan Spieth – the latter carded a final round eight-under-par 64 – and ultimately Fowler.
No player has ever shot all four rounds at the Masters in the 60s and while Reed was unable to make history in that regard – the 27-year-old ended with a 71 yesterday – his score of 15-under for the tournament proved sufficient to don the Green Jacket.
“Its almost impossible to put it into words,” said Reed. “Just to watch the ball go in the hole on the 18th and to know Ive won my first Major and finally end the drought of not winning last year, to do it in the first Major, just meant so much to me.”
Spains Jon Rahm was the best-placed European, finishing fourth after a 69, while McIlroy, who faded with a 74, closed in a tie for fifth alongside 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson, two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson and Cameron Smith of Australia.
McIlroy started the day three shots behind Reed and very much in the frame to end his quest for the elusive Major on his trophy roster and become only the sixth male to earn a clean sweep of all four.
Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only players to have achieved that feat, but four-time Major winner McIlroys bid faltered as the Northern Irishman posted three bogeys on the front nine.
Reed made two bogeys on the front nine himself and a further one on the par-four 11th, and by this stage Spieth was emerging as a serious contender with seven birdies in the first 13 holes.
Another birdie followed at 15 as Spieth gained rapidly on Reed, while Fowler was a further stroke behind and Rahm 11 under with five holes to play.
A birdie at 16 drew Spieth level with Reed, although the latter responded in kind at the 14th to give himself a modicum of breathing space and the tournament was all but his to lose after his fellow Texan bogeyed the 18th.
Fowler had a scent of a first Major of his own and four birdies down the back nine, including one at the 18th to move to within one stroke of the lead, more than hinted at a charge, but Reed ultimately kept his cool.
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