If you are a fan of golf, you’ll know Patrick Reed for his finger-wagging and ‘hushing’ during his games, as well as his gun-slinging style of golf.
We sat down with Reed ahead of the US Open – from June 14 to 17 – to discuss what winning means to him and what’s next for the Hublot ambassador:
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What’s the most important lesson golf has taught you?
To be patient. Golf is an interesting sport. It’s a long sport, especially if you’re playing 72 holes every week. Each round is at least four hours long, and you’re going to have good days and bad days. You just have to stay patient and know how to ride out the good times as well as the bad.
How does that differ from other sports?
When you shoot a jump shot or you throw a fastball, it’s all pretty much the same motion. When you’re playing golf, you step up on the first hole and there are 20,000 different ways you can play that hole.
You’re going to have guys who are going to hit a driver or an iron off the tee; or guys who are going to try draw or fade a shot. The best way is just to stay true to yourself and be who you are.
I feel like golf really brings it out in you because once you try to be like someone else or change your game plan, a lot of times you walk off with a bogey, double, or even triple. Just because you changed your game plan to somebody else’s when that’s not who you are.
Winning this year’s US Masters put you in the record books beside golf’s very best. What does it mean to you?
The Masters is the pinnacle of the game of golf. To always be known as a Masters Champion is one of the greatest honours to be given. It is every kid’s dream to win the Masters and it was certainly a dream come true for me.
Was there a moment that stood out? When you knew this year was going to be your time.
I wouldn’t say that there was any one moment when I thought this was my year or time, but I prepared better and my mental approach was better. When I made the 20-25 footer for birdie on the 12th on the Sunday, I had this rush like: “I’m going to win. Nothing, and no one is going to stop me.”
Tell us about the pressure of going into the final round of a Major in the lead. How’d you deal with the nerves?
I stuck to my game plan. I watched the leaderboard so I knew where I stood and I knew what was needed of me to win. I stayed in the moment and didn’t get ahead of myself.
Will winning The Masters change you?
Winning The Masters is so special. It is the most exclusive club in golf and arguably one of the toughest Majors to win. I’ve always wanted to win multiple Majors and win all of them in my career if anything — this just validates all of the hours myself and my team have put into the game of golf and it feels amazing.
