Jeff Schultz: Patrick Reed writes new chapter for his life, career with Masters win

AUGUSTA, Ga. – This is why it’s a Masters Sunday. Because nothing is simple. Because a final round that’s expected to be a two-man race becomes a three-man race and then a five-man race and then – wait, where did Jordan Spieth come from?

This is why it’s a Masters Sunday. Because we don’t expect Rory McIlroy to fade away again, even though, OK, we kind of expect Rory McIlroy to fade away. Because Jordan Spieth, who ends his third round so far out of it (Nine shots. NINE shots?) that he says he’s looking forward to a rare “stress-free” round at Augusta National, shoots a 64 and tempts both the course record and a historic comeback win.

Because players are given a chance to redefine their careers, and maybe themselves.

One year after Sergio Garcia, a human dartboard for perceived career underachievement, won the first major of his career to shut everybody up, it was Patrick Reed’s turn to make the golf world swallow its hate.

Drop-kicked from Georgia to Augusta State, seemingly reviled by pros and former college teammates alike, mocked by most for declaring himself one of the world’s top five golfers after winning only his third tournament in 2014, Reed went through Masters week with a calm demeanor, an occasional smile and mostly a game that will force everyone to take a second look.

The 27-year-old followed three rounds in the 60s over Augusta National’s sometimes unforgiving course with a stable 71 Sunday to hold on and win his first major championship and a green jacket, just a few miles from his college campus.

So take that.

He survived the buildup leading to the pairing with McIlroy, whom he went head-to-head with at the Ryder Cup.

He survived watching the Golf Channel in the morning and seeing every analyst except one pick the more popular McIlroy to win.

He survived an improbable run by Spieth, who seemed determined to exorcise his back-nine demons from two years ago. Spieth birdied five holes on the front nine and for the ninth time in the round on the hole No. 16 to briefly tie Reed the lead at 14-under.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking – I was glad he ran out of holes,” said Reed, playing three holes behind.

He survived a final charge by Rickie Fowler, whose birdie on the 18th closed the lead to one shot.

He survived multiple re-tellings of his life story, mostly the ugly stuff, including the dysfunction in his family.

He won anyway.

This was a career-changing week for Reed. Winning the Masters gives him a lifetime pass to Augusta National and forever changes his resume. “Growing up,” he said, “you always think, ‘This putt is to win the Masters. This putt is to win the green jacket.’ That’s how special it is. Today honestly was the hardest mentally a round of golf can be.”