Reed holds on to win WGC event

American golfer elated with victory over big names.

MIAMI: Patrick Reed says beating a star-studded field to capture the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday shows he is among the top five players in the world.

The 23-year-old American said his impressive amateur resume combined with his three wins on the PGA Tour in seven months puts him in elite company.

“I’ve worked so hard,” said Reed. “I won a lot in junior career, did great things in amateur career, was 6-0 in match play at NCAA’s, won NCAA’s two years in a row ... and now I have three wins out here on the PGA Tour.”

While Reed basks in the glow of his latest victory, Woods is left to pick up the pieces after one of the worst Sundays of his career.

Woods stumbled to the finish with six-over 78. He played through the pain of a nagging bad back.

Reed finished at four under 284 to beat runner-ups Welshman Jamie Donaldson and American Bubba Watson.

Donaldson shot a two-under 70 to grab a share of second along with Watson, who had a four-under 68 in the $9 million tournament.

South Africa’s Richard Sterne (71) and American Dustin Johnson (72) tied for fourth at even-par 288. Stephen Gallacher (69), Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (68) and Bill Haas (71) were one stroke back at plus-one.

Woods and Jim Furyk were the only two players without a birdie in the final round.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2014.

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