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Reed ready for big finish in Turkey

Patrick Reed will be looking to utilise all his experience on the biggest stage when he goes in search of a first Rolex Series title at the Turkish Airlines Open on Sunday.

Patrick Reed

The American's two European Tour wins so far have come in two of the very biggest events in the game at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship and the 2018 Masters Tournament.

A second consecutive 65 on moving day at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal sent him into the final day three shots behind leader Matthias Schwab and Reed believes his previous exploits in blue riband events can hold him in good stead.

"It's going to help a lot," he said. "With how this golf course is set up, it's going to be a sprint. It's not really a marathon through the 18 holes, it's going to be more of a sprint because we're going to be trailing, so we're going to have catch up.

"Yesterday I thought for sure I would have moved up more than I did from the position, shooting seven under, but everybody is shooting four, five, seven under around here. You have to go out and do something spectacular to move up.

The biggest thing is I have to go out and make birdies when I have the chance to do that - Patrick Reed

"Any time you can put pressure on the leaders is always helpful, especially here.

"That start here on this golf course can really get the minds of everyone turning and get the leaders to think a little bit and the biggest thing is I have to go out and make birdies when I have the chance to do that.

"I wouldn't be surprised if someone could go shoot 60, 59, 61 out here. It's out there, especially with how benign the wind has been and how warm it is, so the ball is travelling."

Tyrrell Hatton carded a 65 of his own to sit alongside Reed as he looks for a second Rolex Series win after his 2018 Italian Open triumph.

"Very happy with that," he said. "I played really good so far this week and it was good to score better than the previous days and I'm excited for the final round tomorrow.

"Normally I'm quite a negative person but in the last sort of month, I've actually felt quite confident. 

"I changed shafts in my irons which has been a big help. Gone to a completely new grip and it's been really good. 

"It's the best I've played all year and just the putter hasn't really been my friend which, in years gone by, it's been a strength. But it's definitely been the weakness this year for me.

"So obviously if I can keep giving myself chances, you're going to make a few occasionally and hopefully I can do that again."

Ross Fisher has finished second three times to Hatton and he also heads into day four at 15 under alongside Frenchman Benjamin Hebert and Scot Robert MacIntyre.

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