Reed Fends Off Ancer To Win In New Jersey

Overnight leader Patrick Reed managed to keep Abraham Ancer at bay as he won The Northern Trust by one shot on Sunday. The 29-year-old started Sunday’s round on 14-under par and he got his hands on the trophy after shooting a two-under 69.

Reed started well with an opening birdie before he then hit back-to-back bogeys at the second and third. He ended the front nine on level par before finding two birdies on the back nine. That proved enough in the end and Ancer settled for second, while Harold Varner III and Spain’s Jon Rahm came joint third on 14 under.

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Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut at The Open last month, finished four shots behind Reed but Danny Willett slipped out of contention after a four-over-par 75. Reed is now second in the FedEx Cup standings and he is now reaping the rewards after taking a break from the PGA Tour earlier this season.

He told the PGA Tour website: “It’s been a while. It’s been a little too long, honestly. “I come back and I’m hitting the ball farther. I have a clear picture on what I’m trying to do and all of a sudden, I come out and I start hitting the ball where it’s supposed to go.

I’m starting to think clearly while I’m out there (on the course) and … the game starts turning around. “I almost felt like I pressed harder and worked harder and tried harder and therefore, it made me physically and mentally drained. I kind of went the wrong direction and that’s why I felt like I needed the break.”