Patrick Reed trying to adjust to course conditions

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Patrick Reed was proud of his second shot on No. 13 in Tuesday's practice round. "I hit a really solid 5-iron from a hook lie and I was able to hold it," the 24-year-old said.
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Patrick Reed putts on the No. 18 green during the second practice round at Augusta National.
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Patrick Reed reacts to a putt on No. 18 green during the second practice round at Augusta National.

Even before the afternoon shower hit Augusta National Golf Club, Patrick Reed was already discussing the soft conditions.

“It seemed like yesterday you were getting that extra 10, 15, 20 yards,” said Reed, a former Augusta State University golfer. “Today, it was just hitting and stopping, especially on drives. Overall, the course played a lot softer and slower today than it did Monday.”

Reed, who was sporting a 1-inch scratch on his cheek, played the back nine Tuesday with Anirban Lahiri, of India. They teed off at 11:30 a.m. and finished shortly before the rain began.

“I had a couple of loose tee shots but my irons were really solid,” he said before talking more about course conditions. “It’s just going to be one of those things you’ll have to adjust to coming into Thursday. If it keeps on raining, I don’t know how much they can suck out of these greens and fairways.”

Reed said the highlight of Tuesday’s practice round was his second shot on No. 13.

“I hit a really solid 5-iron from a hook lie and I was able to hold it,” Reed said. “I wasn’t playing to where the flag was today, I was trying to play more to where the tournament pins have been the last two years.”

Reed also spoke highly about No. 11: “I hit a solid drive on 11. That tee shot really fits my tight draw if I can control it. I was able to go at that one hard, which is always nice.”

Reed will tee off at 9:02 a.m. Thursday with Keegan Bradley and Ian Poulter.

As for the cheek scratch, he laughed and said, “It’s all good.”