Patrick Reed is a proven winner with nine PGA Tour titles to his name in a long and illustrious career, and after getting into a strong position heading into the weekend at the Link Hong Kong Open, the 2018 Masters champion admits his only focus is on claiming the coveted trophy.
Reed, known as Captain America thanks to his exploits in three Ryder Cup appearances, was playing in the marquee group with former US Open champion Justin Rose and local hero Taichi Kho for the first two rounds of the tournament.
On Friday he carded a two-under 68 to add to his first round of 65. That kept him in a chasing group four behind clubhouse leader Nitithorn Thippong after the Thai carded a three-under 67 to move to 11 under.
As one of a number of LIV Golf League players who regularly play on The International Series schedule, the 4Aces GC star is committed to playing in Hong Kong, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, a three-week run that brings the season to a thrilling conclusion.
Reed played down any suggestion that he was travelling with a view to warming up for next season’s LIV Golf League campaign.
He said: “I never like to think about using a tournament or a stretch to prepare for something in the future. I love to compete. No matter where I'm playing, I'm going out trying to win the golf tournament. I'm focusing on that week. It's never for preparation going forward. Just go out and grind and, get some competitive edge and play against some of these boys.”
Playing partner Kho gave the large contingent of Hong Kong golf fans in the crowded galleries something to cheer about with a f65, moving the local star up to 8 under, three off Nitithorn.
Both are in need of vital rankings points as they go in search of a place in the top 40, a position that would likely secure a place in the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event in Riyadh next month, where one place on the LIV Golf League 2025 roster is up for grabs.
Reed, 34, was full of praise for the promising young golfer 10 years his junior. Kho famously became the first Hong Kong player to win on the Asian Tour when he secured the World City Championship at the same venue last year.
“He's solid,” said the nine-time PGA Tour champion. “I played with him here last year too, and I played with him in the past. His golf game looks really good, and he looks steady, and looks like one of those guys that can just go out there and keep his head down, keep grinding. He's going to be a name out here, he's going to be able to do a lot of great things.”
Reed, who admitted he was ‘a little frustrated’ after giving himself too many long putts in round two, is eager to go out and shoot low for the next two days. He said: “If I’m still well within reach around a golf course like this, if you get hot, you can go out and make a bunch of birdies and feel like the game is really, really close. So, there's no reason why I can't.”
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
