Reeds Wins WGC & Declares Himself World Top 5; Looks Forward To Playing His First Major Next Month!
/Granted he does have one more career win than World No. 4 Jason Day. And I'm pretty sure that Patrick Reed has just re-affirmed the entirely irrational love for the world rankings and their importance in the grand scheme. Sadly, though, they dictate lives and once top 50 status is attained, membership has its benefits.
But leaving that aside for a moment, let's focus on Reed's impressive third career win at a brutally difficult Blue Monster and…wait, he said what?
From Doug Ferguson's game story, setting up Reed's post-round comments to NBC:
He cited an amateur career that includes going 6-0 in matches to lead Augusta State to two NCAA titles, followed by three PGA Tour wins in seven months.
''I don't see a lot of guys that have done that besides Tiger Woods and the legends of the game,'' Reed said. ''I believe in myself, especially with how hard I've worked. I'm one of the top five players in the world. I feel like I've proven myself.''
John Strege transcribed Reed's equally astonishing comments to NBC before the round and aired during the WGC Cadillac telecast:
"I firmly believe, as well as my swing coach and my whole team that's behind me, I'm a top five player in the world," he said in an interview with NBC on Saturday evening. "I just got out there on tour and it takes awhile to get your spot all the way up there. But I have that confidence that I'm a top five player in the world. I feel like if I do what I'm supposed to do and play how I'm supposed to, if I'm playing the best I can that week I can't be beat."
Technically, Reed might be right, said Gary Van Sickle in a lively SI/golf.com roundtable.
VAN SICKLE: Nobody else near the top of the world rankings is doing a damn thing. Right this second, yes, I'll say Patrick Reed is top five. But he's going to have to back that up with some more good finishes.
From Steve DiMeglio's USA Today game story, it sounds like Reed didn't back down when facing the inkslingers:
"I have a lot of confidence in my game. It's one of those things that you build by how hard you work," Reed said. "And I feel like I'm one of the hardest workers out here, and it definitely shows."
Say what you want, the man has livened things up and as Jason Sobel notes, has delivered golf a gift in the form of its own Richard Sherman.
There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness, between brashness and arrogance, between offering an honest opinion and articulating something better left to one’s inside voice. And it’s clear that Reed doesn’t mind walking that line, which also makes him something of a walking contradiction – a professional golfer who is comfortable telling the world how good he thinks he is.
Love it or hate it – and judging by initial reaction to his comments, there is no in between – you’ve gotta admit: We could use a Richard Sherman type in between the ropes.
Me? I love that the kid’s got brass ones bigger than The Donald’s oversized cufflinks.
By far the most impressive recovery shot of a final round filled with them (by Reed), was this bunker shot to the back hole location at the 15th, where water loomed behind the hole.
From PGA Tour Entertainment:
ESPN's Sportscenter highlights of the day.
And the PGA Tour's highlight package: