Patrick Reed took a giant step towards qualifying for The Open but Graeme McDowell’s hopes of winning one of three spots at Royal Portrush via the International Series Macau suffered a blow in China.
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Reed’sexemptionforwinningthe2018MastersranoutatRoyalLiverpoolin2023,buthe’sinpolepositiontoearnhistickettoRoyalPortrushinJulyafteropeningwithaseven-under63intheAsianTourInternationalSerieseventatMacauGolfandCountryClub.
TheTexanmadesevenbirdiesinabogey-freeroundtoleadbyashotfromMiguelTabuenaofthePhilippines,AmericanPeterUihleinandFinland’sKalleSamoojawithSpain’sSergioGarciajusttwoshotsoffthepaceaftera65lefthimjointfifthinhisbidtoreturntoTheOpenforthefirsttimesince2022.
“Thesegreensgotkindofreallyfast,andwithsomeofthosepinlocationsthereonthebacknine,youhadtoputtheballintherightspot,becauseit’shardtoputtfromabovethehole,”saidReed,whoshotathirdround59enroutetovictoryintheHongKongOpenfourmonthsago.
“AndIwasabletodoanicejobonthat.Hitacouplecloseand,youknow,kindofhadastress-freeseven-underpartoday.�
