Patrick Reed demonstrated on Friday morning why he has a Green Jacket to his name. The 2018 US Masters champion is very much in the battle for the ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid. The conditions could not have been better, and with the sun shining on the morning session, the players had a green light to go low at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
After a solid level-par round on day one, the American signed for a 66 that puts him in the Top 5. A hot streak to finish his round saw him fire in four birdies in just six holes.
Jon Rahm warned us two days ago that “Patrick Reed’s short game is in the top three in the world”, and today the American proved it. It is true that, at 34 years of age, he has not been playing his best golf, but class is permanent and Reed oozes the stuff. He certainly enjoyed himself on the course: “Today I felt a little better than yesterday. I was a bit uncomfortable with the driver and I didn’t hit as many fairways as I would have wanted, but the good thing is my irons were really solid and thanks to that I managed to have a good round. That was the key and the difference compared to yesterday. Of course, yesterday was windy, but today, when I got out there, in better conditions, I had more chances to hole some putts. I’m in a more than decent position going into tomorrow”.
Of his experience at the tournament, he admits that it is his first time in the Spanish capital, and it is not letting him down: “It’s my first visit to Madrid. I’ve been to Valderrama the last two years and it’s been great. So when I came here, I was really excited and hoped it would be more or less similar. Honestly, it has far exceeded my expectations. The people are exceptional and they’re supporting me a lot, and the city of Madrid is spectacular. I hope to explore it more in the next few days, to keep playing good golf and to have the opportunity to win the tournament”. Reed is not short on ambition, and right now he is just four shots from the lead with 36 holes left to play. Who is to say he can’t go all the way?
Another player who delighted the local fans early on day two was Rikuya Hoshino. The Japanese was on the brink of the course record with a stunning 62. Only a bogey on his last hole prevented him from equalling the mark set by Ross McGowan in 2021. Moreover, Hoshino shot 77 (+6) yesterday, today he went 15 shots better and has gone from flirting with the cut to the Top 10. Sometimes this game really is beyond comprehension.
The Japanese already knows what victory on the DP World Tour tastes like and he is now very close to claiming one of the ten cards to play on the PGA Tour. In Madrid, he will now be looking to seal the deal.
