What ‘frustrated’ Patrick Reed during his second round at The Masters despite finishing in second

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Patrick Reed has thrown himself firmly in contention to win The Masters after two excellent rounds at The Masters.

The 2018 Masters champion, who left LIV Golf this year and has refound serious form since, finished Friday six-under par, good for second on the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

Despite that, he remains some way off the leading pace, as Rory McIlroy put distance between himself and the field thanks to an explosion on the second nine. The reigning champion put one arm through the sleeve of the Green Jacket with a round of 65, giving himself a six shot lead.

Reed, on the other hand, shot a 69, and felt he left a better score on the table.

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Patrick Reed frustrated by bogey on the final hole of round two

Reed was seven under going into the last, but blocked himself out by the threes on 18, couldn’t find the green in two, then two-putted for bogey. That really frustrated the American, who said he hit every shot on that hole as he intended.

The 35-year-old said, “The worst part and the thing that frustrated me most is I hit every golf shot how I wanted to. On 18 you’re having to get up and down, and then hit the putt where I wanted to and just doesn’t go in.

“Things like that happen around here. In golf in general. But, yeah, you know, I mean, golf game felt okay. Felt like I gave myself some really good opportunities. Didn’t make quite as many putts as I felt like I wanted to.

“At the same time, giving yourself chances and also making some crucial putts to keep the momentum and getting balls up and down throughout the round I felt like was huge. Yeah, I mean, any time I sit there and shoot back-to-back 69s or anything in the 60s on Thursday, Friday in Augusta, you’re happy.”

Despite the solid rounds, Reed is way back from the leading McIlroy, and said if he still thinks he can win the tournament.

Patrick Reed says what he needs to do to win The Masters

Reed was asked what it’s going to take for him to win his second Masters this weekend, and he said he’s going to have to put the pressure on McIlroy.

He said, “Just all depends. Depends how Rory finishes up at the end. It’s one of those golf courses you go out and you post a low number early, just never know.

“But the thing about this golf course, when it starts playing firm and fast, yeah, you’ll have shorter clubs in some greens, but they get so crusty and bouncy that you have to be so precise on iron shots. Then when you get above the hole you have to putt so defensive.

“Just have to wait and see what the weekend entails. At the same time, I love the position I put myself in. Hopefully, I can go out and have a good day tomorrow and have a good shot going into Sunday.”

Anything can happen at Augusta, and it’s on Reed and co to pile on the pressure.

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