Hong Kong Open: Patrick Reed takes charge at Fanling with remarkable 59, has 3-shot lead
But with preferred lies in place, American’s score will not go into the record books as lowest ever at Hong Kong Golf Club
Patrick Reed shot a remarkable 59 to take charge of the Link Hong Kong Open on Saturday, and became the first player to ever break 60 at the Fanling course.
While preferred lies means Aaron Rai’s nine-under-par 61 in 2018 remains the record low at Hong Kong Golf Club, Reed produced an astonishing display of precision golf, which started with a run of five straight birdies, and never really slowed down.
Two more followed at holes seven and 13, before a final run from 15 was capped by a curling putt from 15-feet at the last, that took Reed to 11 under for the day and 18 under overall.
Nitithorn Thippong and Rashid Khan are the LIV golfer’s nearest challengers on 15 under, with overnight leader Ben Campbell a shot further back after a 68.
Reed, who was in John Catlin’s group when the American shot the first ever 59 on the Asian Tour in Macau in March, said there had been little evidence of his historic performance at the start of the day, which began with the “worst warm-ups ever”.
“I woke up a little tight, I got to the range and just could not hit a golf ball to save my life,” Reed said. “I looked at [caddie] Cass [Kessler Karain] and he goes, ‘some of your best rounds come from, you know, poor warm ups’.
