Patrick Reed frustrated despite holding share of US Open lead
Last Updated: 20/06/15 8:05am
Patrick Reed was thrilled to be in a tie for the lead alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Jordan Spieth at the halfway stage of the US Open despite disappointment with his second-round 69.
Reed caught world No 2 Spieth on five-under for the tournament with a one-under-par round in difficult scoring conditions at Chambers Bay, but was frustrated to offset five birdies and an eagle with six bogeys in a roller-coaster round.
"I actually felt it was a pretty disappointing round," said the 24-year-old. "To have six bogeys, I didn't get up and down once.
"I need to clean that up. Now I feel like I'll go make a birdie and then give it right away. You can't do that here. If I didn't do that, I would have a four or five-shot lead."
Reed's win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January ensured he joined Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia as the only players over the past 20 years to have won four times on the US Tour under the age of 25. He has since set his sights on a first major victory.
"I'm hitting my tee shots pretty solid, I feel very confident with the driver," added the world No 15.
"I feel like I'm swinging as hard as I want to and it's going to be on the fairway. When you can play on the fairway you have chances."
Reed partnered Spieth at last year's Ryder Cup in Scotland where they gelled superbly as a team.
"It's going to be fun, anytime I play with Jordan I enjoy it. The main thing for me is to stay focused and focus on what I need to do to play some good golf. And plot my way around this golf course, especially if it gets firmer and faster and knowing where to leave the golf ball."
Dustin Johnson is a shot back from the leaders after allowing a two-shot lead to disappear with three bogeys in his last five holes in a one-over 71.
"I thought I played pretty well today. It played really difficult," said the 30-year-old. "When I got into trouble, I felt I hit good shots and got myself out of it.
"I missed quite a few short birdie putts. It's just sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't. I like where I'm at. Still got 36 holes of golf, a lot can happen. One back going into tomorrow, that's fine with me."