2018 Masters: The Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy showdown will captivate Augusta National

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Two of probably the most recognizable walks within the sport of golf will traipse to the primary tee on Sunday with historical past splaying in each course. Patrick Reed at 14 below will sidle as much as the starter together with his burly, lumbering gait prepared for main championship victory No. 1. Rory McIlroy, at 11 below, will bounce and bob his means via the patrons en path to what he hopes would be the closing leg of the profession Grand Slam. Two alphas jousting for crucial prize in golf after a lusty Saturday by which we could have gotten greater than we bargained for.

McIlroy teed off first in Spherical 3, and after a gradual begin, poured in wholesome birdie putts at Nos. 3 and 4. After practically taking down the stick on the par-3 sixth for an additional chook, McIlroy began strutting so onerous I used to be briefly nervous his hip flexors could not deal with the bend in his knees. He obliterated a drive 343 yards on the seventh and chipped in for eagle on the eighth, which elicited a mighty roar. Poof, Reed’s five-shot benefit over the four-time main winner was gone as each sat at 9 below for the week. 

After a par on the ninth, Rory walked to the tenth tee and stared down the massive leaderboard over No. 18 out to his proper. He learn crimson, and its outcomes happy him. He and Reed have been tied. As he teed his ball up on the tenth tee field, 27 holes from historical past, the menacing clouds opened barely. For some, it may need appeared a curse. However for McIlroy, who has burned on thick, moist programs prior to now, it appeared a pleasant omen. It felt necessary, too. I am unsure why, however the climate on Saturday at Augusta Nationwide felt prefer it does when Rory wins majors. I do know that seems like a very insane factor to say, however everybody I walked with agreed.

Nevertheless, Reed, who has by no means discovered a lot success on this golf course, doubled down on his first two days. Birdies at Nos. 8, 9 and 10, and the lead was his as soon as once more. McIlroy stalled and made an enormous mistake on No. 13. He overcooked his method into the simple par 5 and located himself wading via the azaleas. A dicey chip out and up and down saved par, however the Ulsterman teetered a bit. 

In the meantime, Reed revved up. Following a bogey at No. 12, he threw an over-his-head fist pump at No. 13 after an eagle. McIlroy wanted one thing coming dwelling, and he knew it. Then he bought it. An up-and-down birdie from 94 yards at No. 15 bought him to 10 below and no less than gave Reed one thing to consider. If he thought-about it a cost, he did not present it. Reed chipped in for one other eagle on No. 15 earlier than giving one again on No. 16. McIlroy desperately wanted a detailed, which he bought with a birdie for 65 on No. 18, punctuated with a proper jab. Reed’s lead was simply three going into Sunday.

The birdie additionally assured him the ultimate tee time of the 2018 Masters with Reed. After their Ryder Cup heat-seeker two years in the past, I’ve to suppose they’re each just a little giddy about that. And if Saturday’s circulation was a preview of what we’re getting on Sunday, then I am unsure we’re ready for what we’re getting on Sunday.

For everything of their press conferences within the aftermath, each golfers insisted that the top of this match is about taking part in the course and that the remainder of the sector continues to be within the combine. It is true that Rickie Fowler is 5 again, Jon Rahm is six again and Henrik Stenson is seven again. However what McIlroy did proper after his spherical ended revealed his true emotions. He is aware of that finally he’ll solely have to determine the best way to get round Reed if he needs the Slam, and he fired a psychological flare to see if it will take.

“I am actually excited to go on the market tomorrow, present everybody what I’ve bought, present Patrick Reed what I’ve bought,” McIlroy mentioned on CBS. “You already know, all of the stress is on him tomorrow. He went to Augusta State, he is bought quite a lot of assist right here, and I am hoping to return in right here and spoil the occasion.”

This isn’t Rory’s first rodeo. He understands that if he can wedge his means inside Reed’s head at any level on Sunday, he can pull the curtains on what has been a spectacular present from a United States Ryder Cup hero. Following a popped-collar-wearing, bogey-free 65, he took the very first microphone he noticed and set the tone for Sunday. That could be simply as necessary as what McIlroy does on the course on Sunday.

Each went on to insist later that Sunday just isn’t a heads-up match. However it’s. And with it comes probably the most picturesque backdrop in all of sports activities. In some unspecified time in the future we will cease getting outrageously good storylines to punctuate majors and workforce occasions. Sunday is not going to be that day.

“There’s quite a lot of stuff that you are able to do at Ryder Cup that you could’t do at Augusta Nationwide,” Reed mentioned of the distinction in Sunday’s festivities from their bout at Hazeltine in 2016. “It will be electrifying. The followers are going to be able to go, they’re going to be able to cheer for whoever is making putts, whoever is making birdies or pulling off photographs.”

McIlroy, who’s second on the PGA Tour in closing spherical scoring common this season, has clearly been right here earlier than, form of. He took a four-stroke lead into the 2011 Masters closing spherical and shot a 43 on the second 9. He hasn’t been again into the sector at this occasion in an actual, significant means since that day.

“I have been ready for this opportunity, to be trustworthy,” mentioned McIlroy. “I at all times have mentioned that, you understand, 2011 was an enormous turning level in my profession. It was the day that I noticed I wasn’t able to win main championships, and I wanted to replicate on that and notice what I wanted to do in a different way. However now I’m prepared. I realized rather a lot from it. I am completely happy to be within the closing group.”

If there’s something Reed loves greater than attempting to find monster trophies, it is protecting a hungry opponent from feasting. McIlroy craves the Grand Slam as a lot as anybody in golf craves something, and no one would quite beat him and maintain him from placing his fingers via some inexperienced cuffs than Reed. He revels on this. It’s one in all his nice qualities as an athlete and might be one of many myriad causes he is so elite in Ryder Cups. 

So in that sense, it is good for him that he will get McIlroy. However I am unsure he understands what’s in retailer over that closing 9. McIlroy is aware of. He is been there, accomplished that. Even at this course, although it went poorly. Reed has pounded in Ryder Cups, however there’s at all times a fallback plan there. Out right here, you are on their own. It is the apex of independence. He claimed to be pressure-proof on Saturday, although.

“I imply, I wakened this morning, felt fantastic,” mentioned Reed. “Did not really feel any stress. Simply got here out and tried to play some golf. And I consider that is how it will be tomorrow. Get up and simply come out and play golf and no matter occurs, occurs. I am not going to be there specializing in Rory or actually specializing in any of these guys. I am simply going to exit and attempt to play the golf course and attempt to play some good golf.”

Time will inform if that is a superb technique.

“I really feel like all facets of my sport are in actually fine condition, and I am far more relaxed,” countered Rory. “This is not my first time on this place now. I have been capable of shut the deal a number of instances earlier than this, and I’ve that to fall again on tomorrow. I’ve bought quite a lot of expertise in these positions and expertise that I’ve realized from, good and unhealthy. I really feel like all of these experiences will assist me tomorrow.”

I do not need to get too deep within the press convention physique language-reading sport, however McIlroy spoke as if he meant this on Saturday evening. Reed spoke as if that is what he was presupposed to say. Reed would not lack for confidence in fact, however no one, together with Reed, is aware of how wild eyed he’ll get within the hearth at 5 p.m. on Sunday. No one.

So we all know each are taking part in nice golf. And we all know each are having nice seasons. Principally, we all know that each of those guys are alphas, the primary guys out at a Ryder Cup. However who would be the omega? That is the query. Who will stand final on Sunday night in entrance of Sergio Garcia and put on inexperienced? Who will grow to be the 52nd human being to win the Masters Event? 

No matter occurs, with these two, you understand they will placed on a present.

“I feel we’ll clearly nonetheless be feeling it,” mentioned McIlroy. “It is the final spherical of a significant championship, and … Patrick goes for his first and I am going for … one thing else. It will be good enjoyable”

Sure it’s. As McIlroy cleaned up his birdie on No. 15 on Saturday and marched nearer and nearer to historical past, his father Gerry stood subsequent to us within the gallery. When the putt fell, patrons went bonkers as they will absolutely do once more on Sunday if extra putts are falling. Gerry did not clap. He did not roar. He side-eye grinned no one specifically. It was marvelous. A father ingesting in unparalleled success for his solely son. A glance that mentioned, “There are solely so many nice photographs at a jacket, and this is likely one of the few.”

Now we get one more closing spherical at Augusta Nationwide with a Slam on the road. Each males who stride to the primary tee on Sunday afternoon can attempt to persuade us that this is not a few Rory-Reed redux. That someone else can win it. That it is all extensive open. That loopy issues occur at this place. That Sunday leaderboards can change in a rush.

Do not consider them, although. Everyone knows what we’re getting on Sunday afternoon. One of many modern-day greats in opposition to an all-time heads-up golfer who will do something wanting a felony to maintain him from his future. Rory will sleep on the Slam. Reed will sleep on a down comforter manufactured from bald eagle feathers.

Get me via the primary 9 on Sunday. The ultimate two hours are going to rock.