Much of the conversation surrounding this weekend's Farmers Insurance Open focused on Patrick Reed's decision-making on the 10th hole during the third round on Saturday. Reed took a drop, insisting his ball was in the rough; although the PGA Tour approved the move, it remained a point of contention for many players and observers. Nevertheless, the way Reed handled himself after that incident, and his overall precision around the greens at Torrey Pines, proved to be the deciding factor in his latest win.
After utilizing the free relief, Reed sunk a 48-yard shot to save par and maintain his advantage. This specific sequence of events was virtually unheard of in professional play.
While Reed has a long-standing reputation as one of the best scramblers on the PGA Tour, he leaned into this strength more than ever this week. This strategic reliance on his short game was the key to clinching his ninth career victory.
Out of the 79 players who made the cut, Reed's greens-in-regulation percentage was only 61%, landing him in a tie for 63rd. However, his ability to save par 71% of the time was extraordinary; had he been more accurate with his approach shots, he could have finished at 14 under, five strokes ahead of the runner-up.
This is a bizarre combination for a winner. According to Justin Ray of fifteenth Club, Reed is the first player in PGA Tour history to win by three or more shots while ranking outside the Top 60 for Greens in Regulation (GIR). Fewer than 1% of tour winners have ever ranked that low in this category. While Reed is currently 65th in strokes gained around the green this season—and typically stays within the top 30—it is rare to see a player overcome such a lack of green accuracy to win so convincingly.
Ranking 65th in strokes gained/around this season Reed has never finished outside the top 30 during a season. At the point when you’re No. 2 you can compensate for your short game not being similarly sharp not surprisingly—in any event, when you’re feeling the loss of several greens.
Reed has set a precedent that previously seemed impossible on the PGA Tour. He turned an improbable scenario into a victory. This performance will undoubtedly make him a focal point of discussion when he returns to Torrey Pines in June for the U.S. Open.