Likely Now A Two-Horse Race With Reed & Ortiz Neck-and-Neck In Macau

6 months ago by Comments Off on Likely Now A Two-Horse Race With Reed & Ortiz Neck-and-Neck In Macau

It looks very much a likely a two-horse race heading to the final round of the International Series Macau.

The Dallas-based duo of Patrick Reed and his fellow LIV star Mexican-born Carlos Ortiz are tied at the top on 16-under and three clear of Germany’s Dominic Foos and American Jason Kokrak tied in third place on 13-under.

Reed, as the reigning Hong Kong Open champ, led the opening two rounds and with Ortiz making his push for a second Asian Tour backed International Series success in 13 months thanks to his brilliant second day 61.

The 33-year-old Ortiz then used golf’s traditional ‘Moving Day’ to draw level with Reed in signing for a 66 compared to Reed’s 67.

 


While Ortiz cannot be discounted it will be Reed the man to beat as he seeks a second Asian Tour triumph in some four months after winning in closeby Hong Kong.

As well, Reed is in the best of form with the 2018 Masters champion just weeks away from his 12th appearance at Augusta National.

A Reed victory or even a top-three finish would also earn the 33-year-old an 11th appearance in golf’s oldest major at Royal Portrush and where a best Open Championship finish of T10th behind Shane Lowry.

“I feel like any time you have an opportunity to qualify for a major it just gives you extra motivation to go out and have a little bit more drive to go out and try make those putts and play your best game, because at the end of the day, they’re the four events that we’re trying to always play”, said Reed.

“Last year was the first time I didn’t play a major since my first one – which was 42 straight and you know, to only be able to play two of the majors last year, it will mean a lot to get back on that run. Hopefully we can have some more fireworks this week to get there.”

Reed is correct with his sums as it had been 42 majors since making his majors debut at the 2014 Masters while he has disappointingly sat out the last two – US Open and The Open.

As for the Macau third round Reed had a comfortable four-shot lead after six holes before a three-shot swing on the seventh, where the American dropped a shot while Ortiz chipped in for an eagle two. That remained the gap at the turn before Ortiz drew level for the first time after making birdie on 10.

Reed regained the lead with a birdie on 13 before dropping a shot on the next, where he saw his first putt roll off the green, unable to stop due to the slick surface. Ortiz also made bogey there though, to stay one back. Reed later bogeyed the penultimate hole before they both made fours on the par-five 18th.

“It was kind of sloppy, I missed a lot of putts,” said Reed.

“My three bogeys were two three-putts, and I putted a ball off the green on 14. Yeah, a couple of difficult pins out there I would say for sure, but everyone has to play them. And, you know, just gotta hit it closer, I guess, and hopefully make the putts.”

The LIV Golf 4Aces GC star will be also attempting to win his 11th title since turning pro in 2011.

He added: “Just plan to do same thing tomorrow. Just go out there and continue hitting quality golf shots, putting a good roll on it and just trusting the process.”

Like Reed, Ortiz is also chasing his second victory on the Asian Tour, having won last year’s International Series Oman.

The Mexican, who is on the Torque GC team, said: “Good overall. It was a good round. I put it in play most of the day. I honestly felt like I did a good job. It was not yesterday (Ortiz shot a second-round 61) but it was a decent run. Definitely need to shoot as low as possible tomorrow.”

 

 



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