Patrick Reed targets victory in Dubai after recent near-misses
Friday 20 November 2015 13:47, UK
Patrick Reed is determined to end a string of near-misses and claim his second win of the year, after moving in to a strong position at the DP World Tour Championship.
Reed temporarily held the clubhouse lead after a seven-under 65 at Jumeirah Golf Estates and heads in to the weekend well-placed, within three strokes of midway pacesetter Andy Sullivan.
The world No 14 has put together a run of impressive displays in recent weeks, following on from impressive performances at the CIMB Classic, WGC-HSBC Champions and a runner-up finish in last week's BMW Masters, with Reed now looking to go one better in the final event of the European season.
"It's always been a goal of mine to come over and play well and I feel very comfortable with how I've been playing," Reed told Sky Sports. "In the past seven weeks we've played I've finished in the top 10 five times and haven't closed one out.
"Having not closed out last week and losing a play-off to a birdie, I'd say I'm a little more determined to at least have a chance coming down to Sunday again. I'd love to cap off the year with a W (win). That would always be nice."
The American had made a steady start to his second round with three early gains, but made his move up the leaderboard when he bounced back from dropping a shot at the 12th by birdieing five of his final six holes.
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"I felt like it was a solid day," Reed added. "Yesterday I didn't feel like I made a lot of putts of length. I felt like my speed was a little better today, as I made a couple more putts."
Reed lies one ahead of Thongchai Jaidee and Charl Schwartzel, with the South African also having briefly sat top of the leaderboard after closing his second-round 65 with back-to-back birdies.
Schwartzel has struggled at times during a winless 2015, but the former Masters champion believes his game is heading in the right direction.
"For a few months I've felt like my long game has been the best its ever been," Schwartzel said. "But we all know we need to get the ball in the hole and over the past few months that has been a struggle.
"I'm starting to build a lot of confidence and that's very good, I've been working on the putting with someone and that's giving me confidence. There's definitely some stuff that needed to be addressed and that's improving but it's still hard to trust.
"Today I think I only missed one green, gave myself so many chances and managed to make a few of them.
"I haven't been in this position for a while, but I just have to keep giving myself the chances and hopefully if I can build on this momentum it will get me in to a position on Sunday."
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