Patrick Reed credited Castle Stuart after his love affair with Scottish links golf continued by surging into contention at the Open championship.
The charismatic 25-year-old Texan set the early clubhouse lead at Royal Troon yesterday with a five under par 66, illuminated by a chip-in eagle two at the third.
The world number 13 finished tenth at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on Sunday and feels competing in Inverness was the perfect preparation for this week’s major.
He said: “I think it was really important. I wanted to come over and I love playing here.
“Last week was normal Scottish weather. It was cold, windy and rainy and I didn’t see the sun once the entire time at Inverness.
“So to come to Troon and see the sun made it feel like the first round was a lot easier than what I had to deal with last week.
“But this is a golf course that allows you to get off to a quick start and almost get overconfident and cocky.
“You could shoot 31 on the front nine and then if you get too careless on the back nine you could take 41 coming home.”
The 2014 Ryder Cup player – who was the top points scorer for the United States at Gleneagles – feels playing in Scotland brings the best out of him.
He said: “I really enjoy the simplicity here.
“Last week in Inverness when we were driving between the hotel and the golf course there was a lot of scenery. There was farmland to the right and water on the left and just a two-lane road going in and out.
“It just makes you feel relaxed.
“When I golf back home in America, you are sitting in traffic at the lights with a thousand cars, people honking at you, and then when you get back you are trying to get through a busy hotel.
“It’s more stressful off the golf course, whereas here I can relax and have some fun.
“It is a great change of pace.”
Americans have won the previous six Open championships staged at Royal Troon – and Reed has played his way into the running to make it seven in a row this Sunday.
But the four time PGA Tour winner, who finished 20th at St Andrews a year ago, added: “I have heard that stat as well but with the competition we have these days, it really doesn’t matter where you are from.
“I just need to stick to my game plan.
“The odds of me making an eagle at the third again are slim so if I am level par after three in my second round I can’t change my approach and start playing aggressive.
“I know what works for me and it is more of a mental thing than anything else.”
