Near flawless Patrick Reed leads with 9-under

AUGUSTA, Goergia – Patrick Reed is halfway home to his first major championship.

He got there by mostly staying out of trouble at daunting Augusta National and mastering the four par 5s.

Reed shot a 6-under 66 in the second round Friday and moved to 9-under 135 for the tournament. He takes a two-shot lead over Marc Leishman into Saturday’s third round, which could be affected by rain.

Forecasts call for steady showers all day, the kind of weather that should soften up what had become a hard and fast test.

The way Reed has played, it’s doubtful even Mother Nature can slow him down.

“I believe if I play the golf I know how to play, I can win majors,’’ said Reed, a 27-year-old Texan who ended his college career 3 miles down the road at Augusta State. “I need to stick to my game plan.’’

Reed grabbed the lead thanks mostly to being the only player in the field to birdie all eight par 5s in the first two rounds. He also needed just 51 putts through 36 holes.