The next Ryder Cup might still be more than a year away, but Patrick Reed is hoping he can adopt his moniker as 'Captain America' and bring the "fire" on his return to the DS Automobiles 83° Open d'Italia.
American Reed earned his famous nickname due to his passionate and often successful performances representing his country in the international team match-play event.
Across his three Ryder Cup appearances in 2014, 2016 and 2018, he won eight points across 12 matches at Gleneagles, Hazeltine and Le Golf National.
While that may be in the past, Reed is looking forward to the potential for some friendly interactions with the home crowds this week at Circolo Golf Torino.
Grouped with Italian favourites Francesco Molinari, a two-time event winner, and Guido Migliozzi, the 2018 Masters champion is relishing the chance to be back competing on European soil for the first time this year.
"I've obviously played a decent amount of golf with Francesco throughout my career, but I got to play with both the boys quite a bit, especially ever since being on the DP World Tour," said Reed.
"Especially playing with two Italians and having the crowds out here, maybe we might tap into a little bit of that Captain America type thing and bring a little bit of fire!
"But, no, I'm really looking forward to it and excited about it.
"These first two days I've been here, even though there hasn't been a ton of people on the golf course, the energy that's been around here, and just the people walking, and the excitement they have to see the golf tournament, is huge, and I can't wait."
Especially playing with two Italians and having the crowds out here, maybe we might tap into a little bit of that Captain America type thing and bring a little bit of fire!
Reed is making his second appearance at Italy's national Open, having finished tied 29th in 2024 at Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, and is looking to build on an impressive campaign on the DP World Tour.
A winner on the Rolex Series at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic before claiming his fifth DP World Tour title at the Qatar Masters, Reed leads the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World as he begins a four-week stretch in Europe.
Despite a missed cut at last week's U.S. Open - his first of the season - the World Number 29 is feeling positive about where his game is at, with the BMW International Open, Genesis Scottish Open and The Open to follow.
"I've been grinding at home, I’m a grinder," said Reed, whose last DP World Tour start outside the Majors came at the Joburg Open in March.
"I'm over there working hard during my off weeks, but really just getting some quality, family time.
"My daughter had a birthday, so we spent a birthday week with her and the family down in the Bahamas.
"Besides that, just been grinding and kind of getting ready. It was weird when I looked at schedule – it was kind of one of those that, in between the Majors, there wasn't going to be much, because I knew once the U.S. Open got here, it was going to be hot and heavy, coming over and playing, so it was kind of my in-season off-season type thing.
"We’re looking forward to getting back at it, and we're really refreshed and ready to go.
"I can't wait. I mean, I've been waiting for this stretch, to kind of get back out there, get back grinding, get back out here and supporting not just the DP World Tour, but also the players out here.
"It's a treat coming over and playing, and to be able to do it all year this year, and then also for this stretch right here, to kind of get myself on a run and get going, to set myself up for later in the year."
Since a three-year stay at Marco Simone came to an end in 2023, the Open d'Italia has been held at the Adriatic Golf Club Cervia and Argentario Golf Club and this season sees a return to Circolo Golf Torino for the first time since 2014.
New tee boxes have been put in place at the second and third, while the 514-yard 12th will play as a par four instead of a par five as it previously played 17 yards longer.
Above all, Reed is expecting a demanding test where a premium is put on accuracy off the tee.
"The golf course is narrow," he said. "The first day, I got here on Monday, right off an airplane, kind of not feeling the greatest, obviously, walking off a 7.5-hour flight, stepping up on that tenth tee – I mean, those trees are cutting pretty tight.
"But, no, the golf course is good. One of these golf courses that it's not particularly really long, but you have to hit the ball straight. You have to have control of your golf ball and put it in position, or if not you’re going to be scrambling all day.
"It’s one of these – if you're hitting the ball well, you're going to go shoot a number, but if you're not, who knows how high you can go?
