Patrick Reed is closing in on a long-awaited first individual LIV Golf title – and his first professional win in Texas – after surging to a three-shot lead at Maridoe Golf Club.
Reed is one round away from a breakthrough win at LIV Golf Dallas that would end two personal droughts – his first individual title in the league and a maiden professional victory in his home state of Texas.
The 33-year-old Houston resident carded a four-under 68 on Saturday at Maridoe Golf Club to move to nine under overall and take a three-stroke lead into the final round. It marks the first time he has led after 36 holes in a LIV Golf event since joining the league in 2022.
“To get my first LIV victory as well as doing it in my home state would mean a lot,” said Reed, who was born in San Antonio. “But really, at the end of the day, instead of trying to focus on what happens on the 54th hole, it’s stay in the moment. Stay in the present.”
Reed, a key member of 4Aces GC, has racked up 11 top-five finishes and seven team victories since joining LIV Golf – but has yet to secure an individual title in 41 regular season starts.
He was among the steadiest players on Saturday, hitting 78% of greens in regulation and making three consecutive birdies during a clinical front nine.
Paul Casey (Crushers GC) climbed into a share of second with a five-under 67, joining Abraham Ancer (Fireballs GC), who posted a second straight 69 to reach six under.
A group of four players – Richard Bland, David Puig, Harold Varner III and Tyrrell Hatton – are tied for fifth at five under, while Hatton’s captain, Jon Rahm, is eighth on four under.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, of Stinger GC, shares ninth on two under after a second successive 71.
Of the top seven players on the leaderboard, four – Reed, Casey, Bland and Puig – are all chasing their first LIV individual trophy.
Despite Maridoe’s 7,533-yard layout, the demanding Texas course is favouring shot-makers.
“If you’re not in the fairway, you’re going to struggle,” said Ancer. “Bogeys come really, really quickly, even if you’re in the fairway.”
Reed knows the job isn’t done.
“Everything seems to be tight and where I want it to be,” he said. “The biggest thing is not trying to force anything and really just go out and try to win the day as if it’s a Monday qualifier.”
His chasers are ready to apply pressure.
“Looking like the way he’s playing, he’s not going to go backwards,” said Bland. “We’ve got to go get him.”
Photo: LIV Golf
