Reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed desperate to claim second green jacket at Augusta

Reed receives his first green jacket at Augusta last year
Getty Images

Masters champion Patrick Reed says the thought of having to give back his green jacket can inspire a successful title defence at Augusta National this week.

American Reed won his first major when finishing one shot clear of compatriot Rickie Fowler at last year’s tournament, earning the famous green jacket in the process.

Champions are only allowed to take their jackets away from the course for the first twelve months after their victory, before returning them to be permanently stored in the clubhouse prior to the following season’s renewal.

Reed was pictured wearing the green jacket courtside at a New York Knicks NBA game, while the two preceding champions, Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia, both wore theirs to Wimbledon, with the Spaniard also donning his on his wedding day.

"It’s been amazing having the jacket around,” Reed told his pre-tournament press conference. “Travelling with it and allowing other people to see it was definitely a treat.

2017 winner Sergio Garcia wears his green jacket on a trip to Centre Court Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"Knowing I have to give the jacket back at the end of the week makes me more motivated to win another one."

The 28-year-old Texan faces a tall order to retain his crown, arriving on a run of poor form that has left him without a top-10 PGA Tour finish since October.

"I feel like the game now is where it needs to be," Reed added. "We've put in a lot of work basically the entire year.

"When you come here you need to be mentally as well as physically ready to go and play. I've put myself in contention in a couple of tournaments, it's just one round here and there that have hurt me and I need to put four rounds together."

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