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Reed raring to go at Green Eagle
July 25, 2018
Having triumphed in one of golf's most fabled tournaments earlier this year, Masters Tournament Champion Patrick Reed is this week hoping to add an historic European Tour title to his trophy cabinet at the Porsche European Open.
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“I feel good. It's always nice to be back here and even though it was really wet last year and the conditions were really hard, I really enjoyed it. I love the city, I love the layout of the golf course – it's an awesome golf course. So I can't wait for the week to get started."The event, which moved to mainland Europe and Germany for the first time in 2015, is celebrating its 40th edition this week at Green Eagle Golf Courses as a host of stars including Reed, Paul Casey, Charl Schwartzel, Pat Perez and Bryson DeChambeau arrive in Hamburg hoping to dethrone defending champion Jordan Smith.
“It's a while since I've played the European Open," said Casey, "but looking on TV last year and looking at the range – and we've got some sunshine this week – it's going to be a great week."
Reed claimed a top 20 at this event last year and returns with a green jacket to his name after a superb victory at Augusta National. While the 27 year old could not make a title push at The Open Championship last week, the Race to Dubai number two is feeling good about his game.
“My game feels good. I'm just trying to get back to seeing certain kinds of ball-flights, certain kinds of lines and how the ball is reacting compared to last week, so I'm trying to get back to the comfort zone and it'll be really quick and easy to do that."
Casey, meanwhile, is eyeing a return to The Ryder Cup fold later this year and a win in Germany would go a long way in copper-fastening his place in Thomas Bjørn's team, while another hopeful - Frenchman Alexander Levy - plays alongside Team Europe's Captain in the opening two rounds.
“The game feels great," said Casey. "So far it's been a solid year and there's no change in that from last week. It's going to be a tough week but as I said I would love to win this one, but my expectations are pretty high. I'm not just here for the good weather.”
