SINGAPORE: Former Masters champion Patrick Reed is in Singapore for the very first time to compete in this week's International Series Singapore on the Asian Tour.
"It's awesome to be here!" the American said yesterday on the eve of the US$1.5 million event at Tanah Merah Country Club.
Reed played in the Saudi International earlier this year, so this week is only his second appearance on the Asian Tour and certainly not his last.
"I will try and pull as many players over to start playing some more events [in Asia] because that is the only way you can grow the game by getting outside of your bubble and start playing different places," he said.
I have always loved travelling and playing, so to be able to come and play events like this is a real treat."
He hit global headlines when he won the Masters in 2018 and is a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour -- his most recent victory came at last year's Farmers Insurance Open.
He has also claimed two WGC events during his stellar 11-year professional career, at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship and WGC-Mexico Championship in 2020.
The 32-year-old has competed in three Ryder Cups, with his fine performances earning him the nickname "Captain America".
This year he started playing the LIV Golf Invitational events and enjoyed success at the most recent tournament in Bedminster where his 4 Aces GC side -- which included captain Dustin Johnson, Talor Gooch and Pat Perez -- finished first, while he was fifth individually.
"I definitely think a lot more guys will come over and start playing more events. Personally, having talked to some of the guys, trying to grow the game round the world, the only way you are going to do that is by travelling and playing on different tours at different events like the International Series," said Reed.
"To grow the game of golf, just like any business, the only way you can become successful is to spend a little money to make money. And to help out and grow the purses of the International Series that is going to bring money not only to those events but the Asian Tour and allow them to sustain and grow larger and larger. If the guys go and have fun and enjoy themselves, they are going to come back and play more events."
Reed has been paired in the first two rounds with Thailand's Phachara Khongwatmai and Justin Harding from South Africa.
In all, 23 Thais are in the field this week, including rising star Sadom Kaewkanchana.
Sadom, who won in Singapore earlier this year, will play alongside American star Sihwan Kim and Zimbabwe's Scott Vincent in the first two rounds.