Reed’s Driving Woes Continue in Third Round of the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. – On Saturday, during the Masters’ third round at Augusta National, Patrick Reed’s performance was far from satisfying. After a hopeful second-round rally following a first-round struggle, the 2018 Masters winner encountered a string of disappointments.

Struggles on the Course

Reed, openly evaluating his performance, admitted to some clear shortcomings. His driving was subpar, leading to erratic iron shots and difficulty determining yardages. When he did manage to figure out the yardage, poorly placed approach shots left him putting defensively throughout the day.

Recounting his round, Reed stated, “There’s nothing good out of today. I guess the only positive is that I didn’t make a double. That was about it. Yeah, it was a frustrating day.”

A 215-Yard Drive and a Tree Encounter

A memorable moment occurred on the 17th hole, a challenging par-4 measuring 440 yards. Reed, known for his powerful striking ability, found himself hitting a 215-yard drive that ended up striking a tree. In response to this unfortunate incident, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, couldn’t help but express his disappointment in nine succinct words.

“You… f***ing suck. F**k, can you make a good golf swing today? Please. Miss it. Hit it hard. I don’t know where it went.”

Despite this setback, Reed managed to salvage a par on the 17th. However, frustration continued to accumulate as he headed to the 18th hole. This particular hole had already caused him trouble in the previous rounds, with shots veering into the right-side tree. On this day, Reed experienced a déjà vu moment as his tee shot landed near the same tree.

A Candid Conversation with Karain

As Reed walked towards the final hole, he engaged in a conversation with his caddie and brother-in-law, Kessler Karain. Karain, not one to mince words, starkly highlighted the impact of Reed’s driving woes on their performance throughout the week.

“Walking up that 18th hole and seeing my ball in that big-leafed tree on the right again where I could barely advance the golf ball, and my caddie staring at me in the face and saying: ‘Your driving has cost us a lot this week.’ You know, he says that, and yesterday it was blowing 50 and I only missed four fairways and that horrendous finish I had to start the morning (to finish his delayed first round). I ended up par-3 [16th] making a bogey, hit the middle of the fairway on 17, made bogey and hit it in the tree on 18 and made double.”

Reflecting on his ongoing struggles with the tree on the 18th, Reed pondered his approach for future rounds. He acknowledged that aiming left of the tree had not worked thus far and jokingly considered aiming directly at it, hoping to avoid any further mishaps.

Regarding his relationship with Karain, a reporter remarked on the benefits of having a family member as a caddie. Reed humorously responded, “Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole, I swear. Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

Final Round and Moving Forward

Looking ahead, Patrick Reed and his caddie, Kessler Karain, will return for the final round of the Masters at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. With the challenges they faced during the third round, Reed will undoubtedly be focused on correcting his driving woes and aiming for a strong finish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How did Patrick Reed perform in the Masters’ third round?

Patrick Reed struggled during the third round of the Masters, with a disappointing one-over 73.

What were some of Reed’s struggles during the third round?

Reed faced difficulties off the tee, resulting in inconsistent iron shots and challenges in determining his yardages. He also experienced frustration with his putting, having to adopt a defensive approach throughout the day.

What happened with Reed’s drive on the 17th hole?

Reed hit a 215-yard drive that ended up striking a tree. His caddie, Kessler Karain, expressed his disappointment with a few choice words.

How did Reed handle the struggles on the 18th hole?

Reed encountered familiar difficulties on the 18th hole, with his tee shot settling near the troublesome tree on the right side. Discussions with his caddie highlighted the impact of his inconsistent driving on their performance throughout the week.

What are Reed’s plans for the final round?

Patrick Reed aims to address his driving issues and deliver an improved performance in the final round of the Masters.