American Patrick Reed has sent out a gentle pre-title defence reminder as he attempts to become the first player in 12 years to successfully defend the Link Hong Kong Open this week and says he is close to replicating is record breaking form from a year ago.

He begins his defense on Thursday at the Hong Kong Golf Club – where a year ago he posted an astonishing 59 on day three – and is well placed after a top-20 finish in last week’s International Series Philippines.

A year ago Patrick Reed stunned the golf world becoming only the second player, and a second also in 2024, to break 60 on the Asian Tour.  Image – Asian Tour

Victory in LIV Golf Dallas in June – his first individual title on the league – finishing second in the International Series Macau, and third placed finishes in the Masters and the BMW PGA Championship also point to a player who may once again thrill the Hong Kong galleries.

Whatever Reed has a strong fan base and he’s again shown his fondness, whether or not as defending champ. by adding the 66th anniversary of the event to his schedule.

“Game feels pretty good, it doesn’t really feel much different [from last year],” said the LIV Golf League star.

“I feel like the difference now compared with those events earlier this year is I was making putts. And it seems like these past couple of events, it’s been a bunch of putts I’ve just kind of lipped out and burned edges.

“And when you win golf tournaments and you finish up really high, instead of lipping out they seem to lip in. So no, the golf game feels like it’s in a pretty good spot. Just need to kind of just reset.

“I feel confident where the game is. Just need to go out and execute. And really just kind of pull those vibes from last time I was in Hong Kong.”

He won by three shots from defending champion Ben Campbell from New Zealand last year for maiden title on the Asian Tour and The International Series.

When asked what is the key to playing Hong Kong Golf Club he explained: “The biggest thing for me is not to get ahead of myself. It’s pretty easy to kind of sit there and kind of look at the leaderboard, see the guys going low. You have little pockets throughout that golf course that you can really attack and get going.

“And really, that place is for me. It’s just kind of go out there and just kind of allow it to come to me and allow it to happen. Because I kind of know what to do around that place. The biggest thing is just kind of going out there and executing, rather than trying to press and push on.”

The last player to win this week’s event back-to-back was Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2013 – which took his haul of Hong Kong Open titles to four, the joint most.

Reed has been paired with England’s Paul Casey and Filipino Miguel Tabuena, last week’s winner, in the first two rounds.

How does last year’s win compare with his other 11 victories in the pro game?

“I mean, it was awesome, has to definitely be up there. I mean, just because obviously the first time ever shooting in the 50s, and then having to back it up on Sunday, and still gotta go out there and win the golf tournament.

“Really kind of going out there and attacking those first seven holes, kind of getting a huge lead, and just kind of be able to kind of enjoy it. I feel like that was first time I won where I actually got to be able to just kind of sit back and enjoy the round of golf, especially that back nine. Because normally it’s always a sprint to the finish, and I think I got up to seven up at one point. So, you know, I kind of was able to kind of coast and just kind of enjoy it.”

Among those set to join the Masters champion is fellow Major winners Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.

Copy thanks to Asian Tour and photographs from today’s press conference courtesy Graham Uden.