Seoul, Korea - Patrick Reed continues to dominate the leaderboard at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn. The American golfer carded an impressive six-under-par 64 in today’s round, nudging him into a one-shot lead over Carlos Ortiz.
Ortiz, hailing from Mexico, matched the course record with a stunning 61, ensuring the competition remained tightly contested. Meanwhile, Australians Lucas Herbert and Travis Smyth are hot on their heels, both shooting 65s, just two strokes behind.
The leaderboard remains tightly packed with talent, including Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent and the seasoned Spanish pro Sergio Garcia, who carded 65 and 66, respectively. Filipino Miguel Tabuena also remains in contention after posting a 67.
Reed, who started the day as the overnight leader following a 63, showed no signs of slowing down. He racked up seven birdies and a solitary bogey to reach an overall 13-under-par. After finishing fourth in last year’s event, Reed is clearly looking to settle some unfinished business.
"The biggest motivation is getting into contention on Sundays," Reed shared, reflecting on his recent performance and his victory at the Link Hong Kong Open last November. His eyes are also set on qualifying for The Open this year, with three spots up for grabs at Royal Portrush this summer.
Ortiz’s round was a spectacle, featuring ten birdies, including a streak of four from the 10th hole. His performance echoed that of Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan last season, adding a thrilling layer to the competition.
Lucas Herbert, narrowly missing out on last year's playoff, remains optimistic. "It feels like there were more shots out there," he said, suggesting that a couple of low rounds over the weekend could see him challenge Reed for the top spot.
Sergio Garcia, another competitor coming off a win in Hong Kong, credited his recent form to a combination of solid long and short games. Meanwhile, Macau's own Kelvin Si tied for 11th with a promising performance, emphasizing the advantage of playing on his home course.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement only intensifies, with each golfer not just playing for the win, but also for a coveted spot in The Open, making every shot crucial as they head into the weekend.