By Steve Keipert

It’s time the golf world began taking Patrick Reed seriously.

The 23-year-old captured his third PGA Tour title in the past seven months with a one-stroke victory at the WGC–Cadillac Championship at the new-look Trump National Doral course in Miami.

An unflappable Reed held steady on a day when Tiger Woods shot a birdie-less 78 having started the final round just three strokes from the lead. Reed birdied three of his first four holes to bolster his two-shot overnight lead but made no further birdies. He didn’t need to as his challengers dwindled one by one. Only Bubba Watson’s closing 68 and a 70 from Welshman Jamie Donaldson to post three-under-par totals gave Reed cause for concern. When he two-putted from long range on the 17th to preserve a two-shot buffer at five-under, it allowed him to play the water-laden 18th hole conservatively for a winning bogey and a one-shot margin.

Reed plays a bunker shot on the 15th hole during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Reed, Watson and Donaldson were the only players to better par for the tournament as the Gil Hanse-redesigned Trump National Doral layout proved far tougher than it had in previous years. Blustery weather combined with firm playing surfaces and an abundance of water hazards challenged the elite field all week, occasionally making them look amateurish.

Reed, however, looked anything but. After victories at the Wyndham Championship last August and the Humana Challenge two months ago, he now joins the elite company of Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy with a trio of PGA Tour titles before age 24. Yet this latest triumph came against a world-class field on a truly difficult venue as Reed became the youngest winner of a WGC event since they began in 1999.

“I don’t see a lot of guys that have done that besides Tiger Woods and the legends of the game,” said Reed, whose world ranking of 44 is expected to move to No.20 but who sees himself in more lofty circles. “I believe in myself, especially with how hard I’ve worked. I’m one of the top-five players in the world. I feel like I’ve proven myself.”

Scott Hend was the leading Australian in the championship. PHOTO: Getty Images

None of the Australian contingent was a factor, with Queenslander Scott Hend the best of them in a highly creditable tie for 16th. Adam Scott could have usurped Woods’ atop the world ranking with a victory but finished equal with his rival in 25th place.

Elsewhere, American Chesson Hadley captured his first PGA Tour title with a two-stroke victory at the alternate-field Puerto Rico Open. Hadley never shot higher than 68 in finishing with a four-round total of 21-under-par to beat Kiwi Danny Lee by two shots. Steven Bowditch was the leading Aussie in a tie for 37th.

LEADERBOARD

1. Patrick Reed (US)   68-75-69-72—284

T2. Bubba Watson (US)   73-72-72-68—285

T2. Jamie Donaldson (Wal)   74-70-71-70—285

T4. Richard Sterne (RSA)   74-73-70-71—288

T4. Dustin Johnson (US)   69-74-73-72—288

ALSO:

T16. Scott Hend (Qld)   72-76-73-71—292

T25. Adam Scott (Qld)   75-73-72-73—293

66. Brett Rumford (WA)   83-79-77-74—313

Jason Day (Qld) withdrew

*For the full leaderboard, click here