Patrick Reed is determined to win the 2018 Race to Dubai and knows a win at this week's Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open would be a big step in his quest to be crowned Europe's Number One.
The fifth Rolex Series event of the season brings with it a seven million dollar prize fund and the chance to rack up serious points in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
American Reed currently tops the standings after claiming his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament and finishing fourth at the US Open but no player from across the pond has ever claimed the Order of Merit.
Reed is hoping to buck that trend but with a packed international schedule, the 27 year old knows the importance of peaking at the right time, including this week at Gullane Golf Club.
“It's definitely on the list of things that I want to accomplish and it just means every time I come over and play, I've got to play well,” he said.
“I've got to put myself in position to win golf tournaments and hopefully have a chance. It's definitely something that's been on the radar and it's always been a goal of mine to win the Race to Dubai as well as win a FedExCup. Hopefully I can get myself in position that I can win both the same year.”
Reed missed the cut at this event last season but finished in the top ten on his debut in 2016 and loves the challenge of links golf.
“It takes a lot of creativity,” he said. “You can do so many different things with just one club, whether you hit it low to get it to roll, hit it high, kind of work it into slopes.
“I'd love to be able to be creative and play golf that way and kind of free-wheel it rather than just aerial, play the ball in the air and get it stop.
“Any time I'm able to come over and play links golf, it's definitely a treat.”
It's always been a goal of mine to win the Race to Dubai - Patrick Reed
The two-time European Tour winner announced himself to fans in Scotland in 2014 with his passionate display at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, since earning the nickname 'Captain America' for his patriotic antics.
He even went as far as to have a little banter with the home crowd but if anything, that has only endeared him to the Scottish fans.
“Ever since that happened and every time I come over, the fans are unbelievable,” he said. “They have been great, I enjoy every time coming over because of the fans, the fans are just outstanding.
“I think the reason is because they saw the passion that not only do I have for my country but I have for the game of golf, they love that kind of stuff.
“You watch football matches and stuff like that, the passion that those fans have for the player and their teams and I feel like that has really kind of connected myself with the fans and it's awesome.”
Another man enjoying the Scottish hospitality is 2015 champion Rickie Fowler.
The American has had a bar at Gullane named after him in honour of his victory and he revealed he will be popping in to see the locals.
“It's great to be in Scotland, I love links golf and I love being here,” he said. “Great to be back at Gullane.
“It's pretty cool to feel as welcome as we do in Scotland, especially at places like this where we've won. To be taken in, I felt like a local after we won and now to have the bar named after us - I should just get a place and become semi-part-time resident here in Gullane.”
