Reed holds three-shot lead over McIlroy
Patrick Reed used a pair of back-nine eagles to fight off a spirited charge from Rory McIlroy and open up a three-shot cushion going into the final round of the Masters.
Reed, who began the day with a two-shot lead, took full advantage of a damp Augusta National layout with a five-under 67 that left him on 14-under for the week and staring down a leaderboard filled with some of the biggest names in golf.
The former Augusta State University standout has never before held the 54-hole lead in a major championship but remains adamant that he is not about to change anything at this point.
"Mentally, I'm just treating it like any other golf tournament, any other round," Reed told reporters. "Just go out and do what I know how to do, which is hit the ball somewhat straight, knock it on the green and let the putter work."
A five-times winner on the PGA Tour, Reed has dominated the par-fives -- 13-under for the week -- but kicked it up a notch late in the round with eagles at the 13th and 15th holes, the latter when he chipped in from 27 yards.
The 27-year-old American, competing in his fifth Masters, had never broken 70 at AugustaNational prior to this week but has been nearly untouchable and his three-round total is only four shots off the tournament's record-winning score.
Northern Irishman McIlroy sits alone in second place after he capped his seven-under 65 with a 17-foot birdie putt and will have his best shot yet at trying to complete his collection of golf's four major titles.
McIlroy had already made three birdies before a chip-in eagle at the eighth and then scrambled to save par after his ball found the azaleas behind the 13th green. He added two more birdies, including his emphatic putt on the final green.
McIlroy, who threw away a four-shot lead in the final round at Augusta in 2011 when he was still chasing a maiden major, has since captured wins at each of golf's three other blue riband events and is closer than ever to completing his collection.
Published: by Radio NewsHub