Patrick Reed prevails at Torrey Pines for ninth career victory

Tuesday, 2 February 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Patrick Reed celebrates with the trophy after winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South

Patrick Reed pushed aside a weekend of controversy to shoot a steady four-under-par 68 on Sunday and cruise to a five-shot victory at the Farmers Insurance Open on the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course outside San Diego.

Reed finished the tournament at 14-under 274, well ahead of a group of five that included Tony Finau, Ryan Palmer, Xander Schauffele, Norway’s Viktor Hovland and Sweden’s Henrik Norlander.

The victory sets up Reed to be among the favorites for the US Open in June, which will also take place on Torrey Pines’ South Course.

“It gives me the confidence since I will see (the course) again in June during the US Open,” Reed said after the round on the CBS broadcast.

“You know it’s going to play tougher, you know the rough is going to be thicker even though it’s already thick. The greens are probably going to get firmer, the golf course is going to get tighter.”

It was the first victory for Reed, who also won the 2018 Masters, since he won the WGC-Mexico Championship in February of last year. He has now won one tournament in each of the last four years.