Augusta, GA ….

It did not take long for the mind games to begin between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy who are lying first and second heading to the final round of the Masters.

Reed snatched two eagles and a five-under par 67 while McIlroy chipped-in for eagle on the par-5 eigtht hole in his round of a seven under par 65.

Reed leads by three shots on 14-under par as he seeks a first Major Championship in just his 17th Major Championship and coming off a T2nd in last year’s PGA Championship.

McIlroy, of course, is desperate to make ammends for his 2011 Masters meltdown in what is his 10th Masters, and as he strives to become just the sixth golfer in the history of the game to win the coveted Grand Slam.

It was first McIlroy who suggested all the pressure over the final day of the year’s first Major will be on Reed’s shoulder and Reed, who followed McIlroy into the Media Centre, then suggested otherwise.

“I am leading.  I mean, I guess so (laughter),” said Reed in response to McIlroy’s comments.

“But at the same time, he’s trying to go for the career Grand Slam.  You can put it either way.  I mean, honestly, I mean, I woke up this morning, felt fine.  Didn’t feel any pressure.  Just came out and tried to play some golf.

“And I believe that’s how it’s going to be tomorrow.  Wake up and just come out and play golf and whatever happens, happens.”

While both players will not wish to be drawn into a head-to-head struggle Reed says he’s actually looking forward to the last day.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun.  Obviously we’re both playing really solid golf, and you know, to be able to go into a final round on Sunday at the first major to go up against each other and go out and play some good golf, it’s going to be a lot of fun to go out there”, he said.

“But really, I’m just going to do my thing and stick to my game plan and go out and enjoy my Sunday.