Patrick Reed Bags the Blue Monster at WGC-Cadillac

Guard Change: Another young gun wins on the PGA Tour

Chris Duthie

The Blue Monster is back to its ornery old self. At this weekend’s WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, only three players were able to tame the reconstructed beast with under-par finishes, and it was young Patrick Reed who won with a patient, impressive, wire-to-wire performance.

Reed’s 4-under 284 total bested the strongest field of the season, including Bubba Watson and Jamie Donaldson, who were one stroke back. A 68 by Watson on Sunday was inspired golf—he was one of only four players to shoot under par in the final round, underscoring Doral’s renewed toughness—but Reed’s patient-play script proved the winning edge, needing only a pedestrian two-putt for a final-round 72 and secure the title.

Reed bested 49 of the top 50 golfers in the world, prompting the 23-year-old to raise a little cane by declaring himself a top-five player. “I believe in myself, especially with how hard I’ve worked,” he said. “I’m one of the top five players in the world. I feel like I’ve proven myself.”

A bold declaration, but in fact Reed has an impressive resume that includes three Tour wins in 14 starts and a stellar career at Augusta State where he led the Jaguars to two NCAA titles.

“I don't see a lot of guys that have done that besides Tiger Woods and the legends of the game,” he said.

Reed is the youngest ever to secure a World Golf Championship. His victory is yet more fodder for what appears to be a changing of the guard on the PGA Tour. Last week’s winner was 24-year-old Russell Henley, and before that it was Jason Day, 26. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have yet to finish a tournament in the top 10.

NEXT UP

PGA Tour: Valspar Championship: March 13-16; Innisbrook Resort; Palm Harbor, FL
Champions Tour: March 14-16; Toshiba Classic; Newport Beach CC; Newport Beach, CA
LPGA Tour: March 20-23; LPGA Founders Cup; Phoenix, AZ

RELATED LINKS

PGA Tour: Time to Change the Guard?

Who Are the Youngest Tour Winners?

Who Are the Tour’s Oldest Winners?

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.