Patrick Reed collected the first win of his career at the Wyndham Championship. Nothing comes easy on the PGA Tour, Reed has paid his dues and is a deserving winner.
He is less than two years removed from Augusta State where he helped win the NCAA Division 1 Golf Championship in 2010 and again in 2011. He has had the opportunity to play Augusta National and now will be playing in the 2014 Masters.
He began 2012 with no status on any tour and eked out $300,000 playing on sponsor’s exemptions and Monday qualifying. He earned his 2013 tour card at the PGA Tour School.
Reed has had a good year for a rookie. He has had four top-10 finishes, but has also had nine missed cuts. He moves from No. 78 in the FedEx Cup standings to No. 22 and his earnings increase to $1.9 million.
His wife Justine does the caddy duties for him. Does she get the standard 10 percent or slightly more?
Reed started the day tied with John Huh at 10-under par, shot a four-under par 66 and finished tied with teenager Jordan Spieth. Spieth shot a five-under par 65 to catch Reed and force a playoff.
Both players missed birdie putts on the first playoff hole. At the second Reed found his tee shot under a tree. He recovered nicely, however, and struck the trouble shot to within five feet of the hole.
When interviewed by Golf Channel after the playoff, Reed said, “It was the best shot of my life, that's for sure.”
Spieth had also found the green and just missed his birdie attempt setting the stage for Reed to calmly stroke in the winning birdie.
This was Spieth’s second runner-up finish this year and seventh top-10. He moves up to eighth on the FedEx Cup with $2.6 million in total earnings for the year.
John Huh shot a two-under par 68 on Sunday and finished T-3 with Brian Harman.
Veterans Zach Johnson and Bob Estes began the final round just one shot back of the leaders. Johnson has been one of the hottest players on tour over the past few weeks.
Johnson posted a 68 and finished T-5 with Matt Jones and Matt Every.
Estes turned in a 69 and collected a T-8 along with Rory Sabbatini and Andres Gonzales.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin this week at the Barclays and all of the big names will be in attendance.