15 under par indeed seems like an extraordinary score, but when it gets you the green jacket, it’s a different story. And that’s exactly what happened for Patrick Reed at the 2018 Masters, where he edged out Rickie Fowler by a single stroke to claim the title. Reed’s impressive performance marked a notable milestone in his Masters career, which has seen him make 11 starts at Augusta National and finish in the top 12 in five of the past seven years. But, even after 7 years of winning the major, the memory is still fresh in Reed’s mind but not for the reason you think.
Per Fried Egg Golf, it’s not about winning the green jacket for Patrick Reed but rather a special moment that has stuck with him since his 2018 win at Augusta National. As he prepares for the 2025 Masters Tournament, looking back on that day, Reed remembers it like it was yesterday. His favorite memory wasn’t actually about the win itself but about the moment he saw his daughter, Windsor-Wells Reed, waiting for him after the ceremony. “Daddy, you did it. I love you,” she said, melting his heart as a father. “That memory, as a father… I just melt. That was the best memory ever at Augusta. Whatever happens on the golf course, nothing will ever top that.”
Reed’s calm demeanor on that Sunday was a pleasant surprise, even to himself. He woke up feeling relaxed, spent the morning watching cartoons with his kids, and had a great warm-up session. However, as soon as he stepped onto the first tee box, the nerves kicked in. His brother-in-law and caddie noticed it too, and they quickly got him focused on the game. Despite making bogey on the first hole, Reed found his footing and remained calm for the rest of the round. “I was just trying to execute every single golf shot and play golf,” he said, recalling a day where he expected to be jittery and nervous but instead felt surprisingly at peace.
PGA, Golf Herren Masters Tournament – First Round Apr 6, 2023 Augusta, Georgia, USA Patrick Reed tees off on the fifth hole during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Augusta Georgia USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKylexTeradax 20230406_jcd_st3_0098. Image Courtesy: IMAGO
Reed hasn’t only talked about his last major win recently; the golfer also reflected on the state of Augusta National after Hurricane Helene.
Patrick Reed believes ‘playability’ of the Augusta National ‘hasn’t changed’
“I heard obviously that with the awful hurricane that came through that they lost a ton of trees,” Reed shared with Sports Illustrated. He was expecting significant changes to the course but was surprised to find that the playability remained largely the same. “There’s definitely some trees gone, some areas that were really, really thick and now you can see a little more through them,” Reed noted. “But the actual playability of the golf course hasn’t changed. All the trees that come into play, all the trees down the edges of the fairways… all those are still there. All of those that are in the way.”
Reed was impressed by the course’s resilience, saying, “The golf course looked amazing.” He did notice some changes, particularly at the 16th hole, where the green was completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt. “It’s still the same diabolical fun green,” Reed said, acknowledging that while some areas may look different, the overall playability of the course remains unchanged. As the Masters gets closer, Reed’s thoughts give us a great sense of what to expect from this legendary golf course. So, are you excited to see this year’s winner? Let us know in the comment section below!
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