Patrick Reed Takes One-Shot Lead Into Weekend at Qatar Masters, Eyes Another Win and PGA Tour Return
Patrick Reed is no stranger to pressure, and he showed why again on Friday, grinding through a frustrating round before delivering a clutch birdie at the 18th to grab a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend at the Qatar Masters.
The 35-year-old Texan, chasing his second win in three starts, sits at 12-under par after two rounds. While his ball-striking wasn’t as sharp as it was on Thursday, Reed leaned on experience and course management to stay in contention. He missed in the right places, scrambled when he had to, and ultimately made the putts that mattered-including a seven-footer at the last that gave him the outright lead.
“Honestly, today was a little frustrating, especially early,” Reed admitted. “Ball-striking wasn’t quite as sharp as it was yesterday, but I missed in the right spots today and because of that, I was still able to get balls on greens.”
Reed is clearly in rhythm. After winning the Dubai Desert Classic and falling just short in a playoff at last week’s Bahrain Championship, he’s now in position to make it two wins in three weeks. More than just another trophy, Reed is playing for a bigger prize: one of the ten dual PGA Tour cards available through the Race to Dubai, which would mark a significant step in solidifying his return to the PGA Tour.
“I’m just going to go in and approach it the same way I always have,” Reed said of his weekend mindset. “Try to start at even par with everybody and try to go win the day. If you can go and win more days than not, you’ll win the tournament at the end of the day.”
Hot on his heels is Joakim Lagergren, who surged into solo second at 11-under after a 66 that included four birdies and a dramatic eagle at the last. But it was his scrambling on the second hole that really turned heads. After finding the desert off the tee, Lagergren initially thought he was staring at an unplayable lie-until his caddie stepped in, quite literally.
“When I came up to the ball, I was just, ‘Okay, this is unplayable,’” Lagergren said. “And then, yes, I asked the referee, ‘Can we move these rocks?’
‘Yeah, sure, if you can.’ And obviously I've got a strong caddie, so he sorted it out.
I was able to hit it up on the green.”
Daniel Hillier of New Zealand and South Africa’s Richard Sterne are tied for third at 10-under, both staying within striking distance as the weekend pressure builds.
Meanwhile, Pádraig Harrington made his 500th DP World Tour start and celebrated the milestone by making the cut. The Irishman carded a 70, thanks to six birdies, and sits at three-under in a tie for 37th.
Hurley Slips at CIRCA Cape Town Open After Strong Start
In South Africa, Gary Hurley’s comeback story hit a speed bump. After opening with a 65 in just his second start since returning from a year-long shoulder injury, the Irishman followed it up with a 73 to drop into a tie for 15th at six-under.
Hurley is now five shots back of leader Trevor Fisher Jnr, who carded a 67 to reach 12-under. Spain’s Pablo Ereno is one shot behind Fisher heading into the weekend at Royal Cape.
Among the other Irish in the field, Conor Purcell posted a 71 to move to five-under and into a tie for 21st. Liam Nolan is one shot further back after a second-round 69. Max Kennedy missed the two-under cut by a single stroke after a 74, while James Sugrue came up three shots short despite a 71.
Mehaffey Finishes T28 at SuperSport Ladies Challenge
On the Sunshine Ladies Tour, Olivia Mehaffey wrapped up her week at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge with a tough final round. An 81 on Friday dropped her into a tie for 28th at Humewood, finishing 15 shots behind champion Celina Sattelkau of Germany.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Reed in Qatar. He’s been here before-and if he keeps grinding the way he did on Friday, he might just be hoisting another trophy come Sunday.