Patrick Reed got his second win on PGA Tour this week at the Humana Challenge. His first came last year at the Wyndham in a playoff win over Jordan Spieth, when he made a miraculous shot from under a tree.
Reed started at Georgia in 2008 transferred to Augusta State and helped them win consecutive NCAA championships in 2010-11.
He decided to turn pro late in 2011 and began 2012 without status on any professional tour.
He Monday qualified six times in 2012 and made reference to playing on Sunday at the Humana like he was trying to make a Monday qualifier. After three straight 63’s, he posted a one-under par 71 in the final round, but that was good enough to get the win.
In 2013, Reed had 10 missed cuts in 26 starts, but he also had five top-10 finishes, one win and earned $1.9 million.
Reed is never going to be the most consistent golfer on tour. He is very strong, swings hard, and is an all or nothing type player.
He has moved from outside No. 600 in the world to inside top 50 in just under two years. He is now qualified for the WGC’s and majors.
Reed joins a very illustrious club of PGA Tour multiple winners under the age of 25. That very exclusive club currently only has three members, Harris English, Rory McIlroy and Reed.
Watching the Humana this weekend, I remembered when it was front-page headline news when Johnny Miller would shoot four rounds in 60’s and blitz the field in the desert. Players of today must shoot four rounds in the 60’s just to finish inside the top 25.
Ryan Palmer made a nice putt for birdie on the last hole, shot a 63 and finished solo second.
Zach Johnson posted his career best round on Sunday at the Humana. He carded a 10-under par 62 and finished tied for third. His last four starts have been, win, win, T-8 and a third. He has already earned $1.7 million for the year, is exhausted and is going to take a four-week vacation.
Justin Leonard turned back the clock this week in Palm Springs. He posted 66-67-65-64 to finish at 25-under par and tied with Z. Johnson for third. This was his best finish for some time. Now 41-years-old, he is playing a reduced schedule and just like Steve Stricker, it seems to be working.
Brian Stuard had another good week. He posted five birdies and one bogey on the back nine on Sunday to finish at 24-under par and solo fifth. Stuard only had four top-10 finishes in 2013 and earned just over $1 million.
In his last three starts, he was runner-up in Mexico, sixth at Sony and now fifth at the Humana. He has already won $1.1 million and is off to a very fast start in 2014.
Rickie Fowler playing with his new Butch Harmon swing finished T-33, shot three rounds in the 60’s and looked decent. He hit a few wayward shots but his swing looks quite good. We won’t see the big misses that we have seen from him under pressure in the past.
Bill Clinton has added a new life to the Humana Challenge and Gary Player seemed to be everywhere last week.
It’s good to see the old Hope Classic holding true to his tradition and memory.