Patrick Reed becomes the lucky winner of Masters

Patrick Reed becomes the lucky winner of Masters. April. 10, 2018 07:45. by Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com.
People say the winner of the Masters Tournament is picked by God. Patrick Reed (28, The United States), who claimed a Masters title and green jacket on Sunday, may fully agree to this. He became God’s pick for this year, enjoying strokes of luck in several tight situations during the fourth round as if someone was indeed helping him from above.

One of the most dramatic moments came during the 13th hole (par-5). In the last of the Amen Corner, one of the most hallowed places comprising the three holes, Reed’s 7-iron second shot came up short, but plugged in the bank above the creek, thanks to the softened ground after rain. Safely avoiding a hazard, he saved par and took the lead by a shot with his birdie at the 14th hole.

The U.S golfer’s second shot was short at the 17th hole (par-4), coming to rest 24 meters away from the hole. His next putting seemed to be too strong, but it luckily hit a flagpole and slowed down to stop 1.2 meters away from the hole. Reed saved par again, and made a smile saying that he was lucky.

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth (The United States), who had been aggressively chasing Reed, had to be frustrated after his tee shot clipped a tree, falling to the ground just 177 yards away at the 18th hole (par-4). After laying up, Spieth missed a 2.4-meter par putt and could not tie the course record (9-under par).

It is often believed that players should reduce the number of strokes at a par-5 hole to win the Masters. Reed played par-5 holes in 13-under par from the first to third rounds. Rickie Fowler, who came in second, reduced the number of his strokes by eight at par-5 holes.

Jack Nicklaus, who holds the record for the most Masters victories, has praised the winner of this year’s Masters saying that Reed was a great champion who deserves a victory, as he dominated par-5 holes by managing to save pars though there was no birdie. Also during the entire rounds of four days, Reed had only two 3-putts, beating that of Fowler (3) and Spieth (4).