SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) – Daddy’s little girl is waiting. Patrick Reed would like to deliver her a nice present – on Father’s Day, no less.
“The biggest thing is try to get trophies,” Reed said Tuesday ahead of the U.S. Open. “I keep on promising my daughter that I’m going to bring her home a trophy every time I leave the house.”
The last one Reed presented 4-year-old Windsor-Wells was from the Masters. That was only two months ago, his first major victory. Reed finished at 15-under par at Augusta National to beat Rickie Fowler by a stroke and Jordan Spieth by two.
“To be able to come to the U.S. Open, especially after winning the last major, definitely gives me a little more confidence and gives me that self-belief as well as a comfort level that whatever comes down Sunday, if we have a chance to win the golf tournament, I’ve done it before,” Reed said.
Before this year, Reed’s best major finish was a tie for 12th in the 2016 British Open. He closed out last year’s U.S. Open tied for 13th.
The 27-year-old Texan has won six events on the PGA Tour since turning pro in 2011. His name has been out there, only now it’s highlighted, underlined and bolded.
“In Houston, I used to be able to just walk around our hometown in my normal golf clothes all logoed up, and you might get one or two people to say hello,” Reed said. “Now, if I go in jeans and no golf whatsoever on, everyone still seems to recognize you and kind of come up.”
Recognition comes with the territory, so Reed doesn’t mind it. He still tries to give people the same amount of attention if not more since the interest has grown, and he manages his time to accommodate the increased obligations – a must when you own a major.
The only time he keeps to himself is when inside the ropes. That’s where the work is done, and he’s still the same competitor at heart.
No, Reed doesn’t back off, something he surely will put on display on the two par-5 holes at Shinnecock: the fifth (589 yards) and 16th (616 yards).
“I try to stay as aggressive as possible,” he said. “I do not like 5s on par 5s.”
No. 7, traditionally one of the most difficult holes at Shinnecock, sticks out most to Reed.
“I’ve heard stories about it, and I’ve watched it from ’04 but never actually got to experience it,” Reed said. “So to be able to come out and play that hole for the first time, you know, it’s a fun little par 3.”
If Reed’s idea of little and fun is 189 yards with a potentially whipping wind and a wildly undulating green, then sure.
Reed arrived in Southampton on June 3, earlier than the majority of his opponents. He has played every day except Saturday, grown to love the place and called it a complete golf course – even with the wind, hay and degree of difficulty.
Basically, he can’t wait to get started. Round 1 is Thursday, and he is paired with fellow major winners Zach Johnson and Charl Schwartzel.
“Really,” Reed said, “it’s me against myself.
“The feeling you get walking up 18 and making the putt on the last hole to win a major is unbelievable,” Reed added. “It’s a feeling you want to get back to.”
Another thing he wants to get back to is those gifts for his daughter.
“Daddy needs to get on track,” Reed said, “and bring her home more trophies.”
