(Reuters) – Unheralded PGA Tour rookie Patrick Reed found himself in major-winning company yesterday after charging into a three-way tie for the lead in the second round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.
In pursuit of a maiden victory on the circuit, Reed fired a sizzling eight-under-par 63 on a day of low scoring at the TPC Deere Run to finish at 12-under 130, level with former major winners Zach Johnson (66) and Lucas Glover (62).
Australian Matt Jones carded a 65 to post an 11-under total, ending the day a stroke in front of Americans Kevin Streelman (66), Jerry Kelly (64), Daniel Summerhays (67) and Troy Matteson (64), and Canadian David Hearn (66).
“It was just one of those days,” the 22-year-old Reed told reporters after mixing an eagle at the par-five 17th with seven birdies and a lone bogey to surge to the top of the leaderboard.
“I have been hitting the ball well this week and I am hitting a lot of good putts. Unfortunately I am still missing a couple of short ones but I am saving myself by making the putts that I need to and also by making some long ones.
“The driver is a little inconsistent right now … but besides that I can’t complain about any other part of my game,” said Reed, who earned his PGA Tour card for this year by tying for 22nd at the 2012 qualifying school.
