Masters: Patrick Reed looking to play the heel to Rory McIlroy
Reed and McIlroy have had a bit of a rivalry for years, one that could heat up over the weekend at Augusta National.
Patrick Reed watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) ASSOCIATED PRESS AUGUSTA, Ga. — If not for the big magnolia tree off the right side of the 18th fairway, Saturday’s final pairing would be about as juicy as it gets for the Masters.
“Been behind it twice,” Patrick Reed lamented after finishing up his second consecutive 69 to head into the weekend at 6-under par. Reed’s tee shot at 18 on Friday probably won’t be the difference in him winning or losing the tournament. But it did cost him the chance to play in the final group head-to-head with Rory McIlroy.
If you don’t recall, there’s some pretty interesting history in that pairing. When Reed won this tournament in 2018, he and McIlroy were in the final group on Sunday — the last time they played together at the Masters. Even more memorable was their Ryder Cup duel in 2016 — one of the most electric singles matches in the history of the event with highlight-reel shots, back-and-forth trash talk and Reed earning the “Captain America” nickname with a 1-up victory as the U.
S. team cruised to victory on Sunday. There’s also been subsequent beef between them.