The Masters: Patrick Reed dominates low-scoring day at Augusta

Patrick Reed took full advantage of the soft, calm conditions that the rain created at the Masters on Saturday. With just 18 holes between him and the green jacket, can anybody stop his victory march?

The Masters, as it turns out, doesn’t always begin on the second nine on Sunday. This year’s contest kicked off in earnest on Saturday. With rains softening the course, but winds remaining calm, the later flights of players had free reign to go pin-hunting. And, as it turns out, that suited the leader, Patrick Reed, just fine.

The 27-year-old, who played his college golf at Augusta State, moved one step closer to a historic green jacket on moving day. He shot his third straight round in the 60s, as well. Plus, if you can believe it, it was even more dramatic than his Friday 66.

As the early pairings finished their rounds, low scores were out there, but not automatic. However, as the course softened into the early afternoon, the numbers dropped too. The final six groups went a combined 29-under on the day. Every group prior to that? A combined 10-under between 41 players.

Reed, going off in the last pairing with Marc Leishman, got to watch as the players in front of him went low. That included the trio of Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy, who each posted matching rounds of 65. That feat was historic on its own, too.

Saturday was the first time in the history of #TheMasters that there were 3 rounds of 65 or better in the same day.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 7, 2018

Of course, it would have been easy for a player of a lesser stature to crumble under that pressure. Reed has stumbled in the past at Augusta National, and with three of the game’s biggest stars chasing him down, nobody would have been surprised if he tripped a bit.

Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy and the showdown for the Masters

Flash back for a moment to the 2016 Ryder Cup. That’s where Reed cemented his nickname, “Captain America”. Don’t get me wrong, he’s always been fired up in international matches, but this was his crowning moment. And his foil?

The same man he’ll tee off with at Augusta National on Sunday afternoon, Rory McIlroy.

Let the finger-wagging and crowd-shushing begin. Well, metaphorically, that is. That type of actual behavior is frowned upon on the grounds of Augusta, of course.

While the rest of us write breathy columns (like this one) detailing what could be fireworks at any other course, Reed is doing his best to defuse the situation.

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"“I’m not out there to play Rory. I’m out there to play the golf course,” Reed said. “At the end of the day, if I go out and I feel pleased with how I play then it should be an enjoyable Sunday night. But really, I’m just going to go out there and enjoy the day, go out and play some golf and hopefully go out and shoot another round in the 60s.”"

It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Well, that’s how simple Reed has made this week look at the Masters. Reed has continued to pour in birdie putts at seemingly every opportunity. His 20 par-breakers are far and away leading the field (McIlroy has 14).

Better yet, he continues to cruise on the par-5s, going five-under on those four holes on Saturday. He did card a 5 on the second hole Saturday, but he more than made up for it with eagles on both par-5s on the second nine.

Next: Top five Masters storylines for the weekend

Now, just 18 holes stand between Reed and history. We’ve seen major championship marches like this before at the Masters. However, we’ve also seen them sidetracked in spectacular fashion. No matter whether you love him or hate him, you need to watch this finale on Sunday.

It’s going to be one for the history books.

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