Patrick Reed finds support on local course

Patrick Reed’s confidence in winning a green jacket was matched by fans eagerly watching the former Augusta State University All-Amer­ican’s Masters debut.

Dean Newman, the father of Reed’s former Augusta State teammate Carter New­man, wants nothing more than the former Jaguar to win Sunday. Reed has the skills to do it, he said.

“His game is well-suited to the golf course. He hits it long and high, and he has a great short game, which you have to have to compete well here,” Newman said.

Wearing an Augusta State red hat and blue jacket, New­man and his wife, Teena, walked the course following Reed, who was paired with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Reed, 23, spent two years at Augusta State and helped the Jaguars win back-to-back NCAA Division I national titles in 2010 and 2011. Augusta State (now known as Georgia Regents University) is 10 minutes from Augusta National Golf Club, which Reed played three times as an amateur.

Reed, ranked 23rd in the world, has three wins in his two full seasons on the PGA Tour. After winning the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship in March, he caused a stir by saying he was a top-five player in the world.

“It’s nice to see a former Augusta State player doing well on the tour,” Newman said.

Bit Brittingham, of Au­gusta, rooted for Reed because of his local ties and impressive playing.

“I think he’s got a good chance of winning. He’s hot right now,” said Brittingham, who followed Reed on the first two holes.

Kelly and Patrick Zier, of North Augusta, followed Reed’s career during his national championship wins. An early, smooth start during Thurs­day’s opening round boded well for his chances at the Masters, the father and son said.

“We’re looking for him to do well,” Kelly Zier said. “We stopped at (No. 1) and saw him come through. He looked strong.”

Canadian residents Fra­ser and Daniel Keays were also among Reed’s fans scattered in the thick gallery watching McIlroy. The Keays, of Bedford, Nova Scotia, saw Reed play in the 2013 Canadian Open and wanted to see a golfer with Augusta ties play at Augusta National.

“I’ve got him in my pool,” Fraser Keays said.