Patrick Reed arrives at this week's US Open more determined for victory than ever after claiming his first Major Championship at the Masters Tournament in April.
The American held off final day challenges from Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm to claim the Green Jacket and admits his life has not been the same since.
With victory at the first Major of the year comes greater exposure, media scrutiny and demands on your time but Reed insists those factors have not dilluted his determination to win another of golf's four biggest events.
In fact, Reed believes that having become a Major champion has only increased his desire to be the first man to win the Masters and the US Open in the same season since Spieth in 2015.
“All the hard work and all the stuff that we've done to try to get to that point, to be able to win a Major, has finally paid off,” said the man who sits second in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
“The feeling you get walking up 18 and making the putt on the last hole to win a Major is unbelievable and it's a feeling you always want to get back to. I feel like it's just made me more hungry to go out, work harder, and try to succeed even more.
“It's been a whirlwind for sure but it's been so much fun and it's been awesome to be able to reflect on succeeding at something that we've worked so hard and dreamed of, winning a Major.
“To be able to win the first one of the year and to become Masters champion, it feels great, but we can't wait to get back out to work and hopefully have a good week here and have a chance come late Sunday.
“To be able to come to the US Open, especially after winning the last Major, definitely gives me a little more confidence and gives me that self-belief as well as comfort level that whatever comes down Sunday, if we have a chance to win the golf tournament, I've done it before.
“So I'm able to build on those experiences from the last Major and hopefully be able to apply them this week.”
I feel like it's just made me more hungry to go out, work harder, and try to succeed even more - Patrick Reed
Shinnecock Hills this week hosts its fifth US Open and first since Retief Goosen won the title in 2004.
The US Open is often regarded as the toughest of the Major Championships but has not had an over par winner since Justin Rose triumphed at Merion in 2013.
Reed made his debut in the event the following season and believes he could face his toughest test yet at his home Open.
“I finally feel like I'm playing a US Open that I'm used to seeing growing up, where a couple under par is a good score,” he said.
“I got to this golf course and it seemed like it brought everything out. Even though it's a long golf course, you have to be able to work the ball both ways. You have to be able to flight the ball depending on wind. So any little detail of your golf game that's not on is going to be exposed.
“I feel like it's a complete golf course, complete place, and you just need to be sharp in all aspects.”
