Patrick Reed wants to win his first European tour event at the Saudi International, kicking off on February 4.
The 30-year-old American is blocking out all the noise about his latest Farmers Insurance Open win last week, where he scored 274, 14-under-par.
The victory has been shrouded in controversy as viewers questioned a moment where Reed picked up a ball that he believed to be embedded and called over a rules official, who confirmed his entitlement to relief.
But many still took issue with the incident, as video showed the ball bouncing once in the rough before coming to a rest.
Reed previously committed an infraction at the 2019 Hero World Challenge, where he was penalised two strokes for improving his lie.
Does he feel that he’s now being treated unfairly, in light of his past history?
“I would say yes,” said Reed at a Wednesday press conference. “You know, really what has happened at 10 last week, I feel like it was handled the best way that we could; it was obviously handled the correct way [with] really talking with the rules officials and seeing it through the rules officials. But that was last week. The biggest thing for us is focus on this week and focus on this golf tournament and try get another W.”
Reed has also been subject to a flurry of polarised social media responses to his latest win, some with and some against. But he has a simple way of dealing with social media.
“I don’t read it. And I think that’s the easiest way is to not read all the chatter of what’s going on on social media. For me, it’s more: I go out and do my business on a golf course, and, you know, go home and hang out with the little ones, and try to be a dad once golf is over, rather than being an athlete.”
But in the meantime, he’s fully focused on his next goal: winning his first European tour event in Saudi.
“I’ve moved on from last week and really my biggest thing when I’m here is focus on this week and trying to have a chance late Sunday hopefully to win another one,” he said. “Really trying to win my first European tour event over here.”
Reed is adapting a mentality of mental strength that he believes is the secret to success at the sport.
“I’ve always been good at just blocking out noise and really just focusing on the thing at hand,” said Reed.
“I think that’s what’s amazing about all the golfers in this day and age, as well as all the greats of the game, is that to be really good at golf, you have to really be mentally strong.
“Whether you make a double or whether you make a birdie, you can’t get too high, you can’t get too low: you have to forget about it, move on and go on to the next shot.
“That’s the best way to be successful today. At this level, everyone can hit the ball well, everyone can make pots, everyone can chip. It’s usually the guy who wins week in, week out mentally is the strongest that week, as well as is able to overcome all the ups and downs … There’s a million ups and downs, it seems like.”
His first test, however? Triumphing over jet lag.
“Yesterday we got in at 1 or 1.30 in the morning and were jet-lagged like crazy. I didn’t really feel like I was inside my body. I was kind of wobbling around everywhere,” admitted Reed.
“And to come out here and to get a little bit of practice in and feel like I still had control of the golf club was a huge thing.”
This is a course he always looks forward to — and it could give him a career first if he wins.
“It’s awesome to come over here. I mean, the the support that this event has and the support that Saudi has given the players as well as just the tour is amazing,” he said.
“For us, coming over and playing and having a golf course that’s just continuously gotten better and better each and every year. The hospitality is amazing.”
