Patrick Reed seemed to be playing a different golf course on a day many of the best players in the world struggled in breezy conditions at Augusta National.
The 27-year-old Reed, who played college golf down the road at Augusta State, shot 6-under-par 66 to take a two-stroke lead over Marc Leishman of Australia midway through the 82nd Masters in Augusta, Ga.
“I just kept out of trouble and allowed the putter to do the work,” said Reed, whose best major finish was a tie for second last year behind Justin Thomas in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. “Any time you can be aggressive with your putter around here, it’s pretty nice.
“I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable on this golf course over the years. They key is leaving it in a good spot if you miss, so you can get up-and-down. You just want to play smart and keep the ball in the fairway.
“I’ve been in this position in big tournaments before, so I just want to stay aggressive and treat it like just another day on the golf course. … We’re only halfway.”
Reed, who opened with a 69, recorded one of 16 rounds under par in the second round and posted a 36-hole score of 9-under 135.
Leishman, 34, who claimed two of his three PGA Tour victories last year in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the BMW Championship, birdied the first three holes and sank a five-foot eagle putt on No. 15 in his 67.
“My iron play was pretty good and I putted pretty well, which is important around here,” said Leishman, who played in the final group with Adam Scott in the last round when his countryman captured the Green Jacket in 2013.
“Playing alongside Scotty, I saw what it takes to win here. You have to take advantage of your opportunities when you get them and make some putts. … It’s an awesome leaderboard, but with the weather predicted for the weekend you just have to take care of yourself.”
Henrik Stenson, who won the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon, is four shots back in third after a 70.
Seventh-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who will complete the Career Grand Slam with a victory this week, totaled 71 and is one more back in a tie for fourth with first-round leader Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters champ, who struggled to a 74.
The fourth-ranked Thomas made three straight birdies through No. 15 en route to a 67 and is six behind in a tie for sixth with top-ranked Dustin Johnson, who eagled the second hole and birdied the last for a 68.
Seventh-ranked Rickie Fowler of Murrieta shot 72 and is seven down in a tie for eighth with fifth-ranked Justin Rose (70) of England, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson (69), Louis Oosthuizen (71) of South Africa, Charley Hoffman (73) of Poway, and Tony Finau (74).
Third-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain is tied for14th after a 68, sixth-ranked Hideki Matsuyama of Japan shot 71 and is tied for 18th, four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods is tied for 40th after a 75, and three-time winner Phil Mickelson totaled 79 but made the cut on the number in a tie for 46th.
Ninth-ranked Sergio Garcia of Spain, the defending champion, followed an opening 81 with a 78 and missed the weekend by 10 strokes, but will stick around to put the Green Jacket on the champion on Sunday night.
For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.
