JAKARTA: Former Masters champion Patrick Reed visits Indonesia this week for the first time in his career to compete in the US$1.5 million (RM7m) BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, and clearly means business after saying today: “The biggest thing is to get a ‘W’, a win.”
The American has enjoyed enormous success on the LIV Golf League for the past two seasons playing for the 4AcesGC team, who have won the team title both occasions, but has not tasted victory individually since claiming the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour in 2021.
He has finished runner-up twice individually on the LIV Golf League, in Bangkok last year, and London in July.
“I feel like the game has improved this year,” said the American.
“When I look back at previous years, when I first turned pro, the game feels just as good, if not better. For golf, everything has to be on. You have to hit the ball well, you have to be there mentally. Your short game has to shine.”
The 33-year-old Texan played well in the Hong Kong Open last week, finishing in a tie for 15th and starts as one of the favourites this week in a tournament that includes defending champion Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand, American Andy Ogletree, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, and former champion Anirban Lahiri from India.
“Last week was probably the best I have hit the ball in a long time, but the putter was flat, it disappeared, I think it was still jet-lagged,” he added.
“I feel like it will be here with me this week and with that being said I hope to close off the ‘W’.”
He hit global headlines when he won the Masters in 2018 and is a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour. He has also claimed two WGC events during his stellar 12-year professional career, at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship and WGC-Mexico Championship in 2020.
He has also competed in three Ryder Cups, with his fine performances in the Match Play event earning him the nickname “Captain America”.
“My ambition has always been to travel and play globally. Being here in Indonesia, and Hong Kong last week, is an example of that and the same goes for LIV Golf,” he said.
“And you know one of the many things I am always impressed with when I come out here to Asia is all the hidden gems. Guys we have never heard of but when you come over here and watch them play you see the talent. And it is amazing they now have this vehicle on The International Series to play and take their game to the next level.
This week’s event is the final leg of this year’s 10-tournament International Series, while two more events remain on the Asian Tour schedule. – Asian Tour
