American golfer
Patrick Reed secured the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on Monday after a sudden-death playoff with Jimmy Walker in Hawaii.
The 24-year-old now joins an elite group of just five golfers, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, to have achieved four wins on the PGA Tour before the age of 25.
Monday’s final round saw Jimmy Walker leading the pack with Reed four strokes behind and only four holes to go. But while Walker seemed to lose his nerve, bogeying the 14th, Reed firmly answered the challenge.
Armed with the
Callaway X2 Hot Pro 3-wood, the
Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond driver and the
Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind wedges, Reed sank 2 birdies and an incredible eagle to tie Walker at 21-under.
“It was there for me to win,” Walker told reporters afterwards. Adding, “It was a bummer I didn’t close the door on it.”
The ending for Reed was anything but a “bummer.” As the Callaway player sealed his fate during the first playoff hole, landing an 18-foot birdie putt.
With this latest victory, Reed moves up nine spots to number 14 in the official world rankings. A result the American hopes to build upon in 2015.
“I’m just going out there and just trying to play my game and trying to improve,” said Reed. “Winning here just kind of backs up that we’re moving in the right direction.”
