Patrick Reed won his first title since switching to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf (Image: Getty Images)
Patrick Reed has triumphed at the Asian Tour’s International Series, clinching the Hong Kong Open title on Sunday. The LIV Golf sealed his first win in nearly four years with a stellar four-under-par 66 in the final round.
Reed, along with other LIV Golf members, took advantage of the league’s offseason to compete this week. His journey to victory was highlighted by a historic moment during Saturday’s third round when he became only the second player to score below 60 in the Asian Tour’s history.
With an astonishing 11-under 59, Reed soared to the top of the leaderboard, securing a three-shot lead. The ex-Masters winner maintained his dominance into the final day, finishing three shots clear at 22-under.
“Nothing like coming to a place that I know pretty well and love the golf course,” Reed commented post-victory. “I love how it makes me think about golf shots and you have to be creative around this place.
“So, to be able to come out and play the way like I did on the weekend. I mean, it always helps shooting 59 yesterday, but the biggest thing, the hardest part, was today.”
He confessed that his initial focus was to put the record-breaking round behind him: “Kind of going out there and forgetting about the 59 and going out.
“Even though I had a three-shot lead, to try to expand on that. And the goal was to go out there and make a couple birdies early quickly, get up on top, so then on the back nine I could just kind of hit fairways and middle of the greens.”
Revelling in his recent victory, Reed is setting his sights on further success as he continues his journey on the Asian Tour.
The expectation is high that the stellar Masters champion will be seen in action at the season’s concluding International Series events in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Patrick Reed holds the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Open (Image: Getty)
The leading player in the series rankings following these tournaments is set to climb the ranks to join Reed in the LIV competition come 2025.
John Catlin, a familiar face on the LIV reserve roster, has been a frontrunner throughout the season, but with the finale approaching, his lead appears to be narrowing.
On missing this week’s cut, Catlin lost out on accumulating crucial Order of Merit points, while his main rival Ben Campbell secured the runner-up spot right behind Reed.
A reflective Campbell expressed his mixed feelings: “Obviously, it’s still a good result, but just frustrating it was not to be. I feel like I should have been right up there and pushing Patrick. So, yeah, it is what it is, but it was close.”