Bethpage Park, NY … Patrick Reed inched closer to banking the Barclays Championship first prize cheque on day two of the first of the FedEx Play-Off Series at Bethpage Park Black.
The American went into the round sharing the overnight lead on five under par and after seven holes had raced to nine under par in the hot and humid conditions.
However a bogey at eight checked the Texan’s progress ahead of getting back to nine under with a birdie at 13 but ending his round bogey, birdie and bogey in a score of 68 for a two shot leading cushion at eight under par.
It is only Reed’s fourth start in the Barclays Championship and by far the best albeit just a shot fewer than his seven under par after two rounds in last year’s event at Planfield in New Jersey.
Patrick Reed breaks two shots clear of his rivals on day two of the Barclays. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“I felt like I played solid. I felt like I had two mental mistakes today, and kind of swayed a little bit away from the game plan on two holes,” he said. “Both of those I bogeyed. It was just kind of one of those things that yesterday I felt like I hit my driver probably a little better but today I definitely hit my irons a lot more solid and better than yesterday.
“As long as I continue with my game plan, continue playing like I am right now, hopefully I just keep putting pressure on everybody, keep shooting lower numbers and keep shooting under par and hopefully everyone will try to chase me.”
Those chasing Reed include the likes of compatriots Rickie Fowler (69) at six under par and Hazeltine team-mate Jordan Spieth (67) and sharing fifth place at four under par.
After a lunch break, Spieth was observed for some hours on the practice putting green here at Bethpage working on his putting but then talking more about his driving at the end to his round.
“Ideally I’m working my butt off for both. The stroke right on — the stroke, I’ve never been someone who ever said my stroke has to be perfect,” he said.
“If the ball starts where you’re looking, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. Same with the swing. But for me, right now it comes down to driving the ball. That’s going to be the key for me the next couple days. I still don’t feel great about the way I swung the driver.
“I found some fairways towards the end but I need to kind of try and figure out a ball flight I know I can play on each hole, whether it’s a draw or a fade. I need to go to the range and kind of figure that out. I was fortunate on a couple of those I mis-hit them, I could find the fairway. I noticed that, and I know it needs to be better; it needs to be a better swing.
“So to answer your question, putting feels good. So it comes down to more emphasis on driving.”
