Patrick Reed contending in Turkey just days after being chosen as captain’s pick

Fresh off hearing his name called as a Presidents Cup captain’s pick, Patrick Reed is in the hunt to win on the European Tour at the Turkish Airlines.

Reed sits at 15 under through three rounds in Turkey, tied for 2nd and three shots behind front-runner Matthias Schwab. It would appear his Presidents Cup news was a boon to his game, as he started with a 71 Thursday, only to respond with consecutive 65s Friday and Saturday. Reed even wore Woods’ classic red and black outfit in homage to his new captain Friday.

Reed, who faithfully keeps a European Tour membership, is the only member of the American President’s Cup team playing in Turkey. He’s made just one bogey in the last 40 holes.

Reed has played a bunch this fall, including three other Euro Tour events and two events of the PGA Tour’s Asia swing. Despite not earning his way onto the team in automatic qualifying, Reed has made every cut (16 straight now) since the PGA Championship in May.

The fiery 29-year-old has the support of Woods despite the shakeout of news after the 2018 Ryder Cup, which included Reed criticizing Jim Furyk for how he handled pairings in Paris.

Reed will play in the penultimate group Sunday at Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Course.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.