Reed shrugs off controversy to win at Torrey Pines

Patrick Reed seemed unaffected by another rules controversy. He strolled to a five-stroke win and his ninth PGA Tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California.

Social media is still discussing the ruling on Saturday when 30-year-old Reed controversially claimed relief for an embedded ball. The American had described his conduct as 'textbook' but many commentators viewed the incident somewhat differently.

However, Reed showed his mental strength as he put the controversy behind him to grind out a final round four-under-par 68 to win by five shots.

"Once it was handled, we just moved on and kind of went out there today and really just got on a game face, went out there and just tried to continue building the golf swing," said Reed.

"This golf course is hard; there's no really other way to put it. I mean, it's a hard golf course. It doesn't matter if it's 75 and sunny here with no wind or if it's 50 degrees and blowing, it's a hard golf course no matter how you put it."

World number ten Reed holed a monster putt for an eagle for the second day running at the par five 6th hole. He reached the turn in three-under to move clear of the field with only Viktor Hovland putting up any challenge. However, a string of eight pars followed by a birdie at the last for a fourteen-under-par saw Reed comfortably home.

Hovland faded over the back nine and eventually had to settle for a share of second place alongside Americans Tony Finau, Ryan Palmer and Xander Schauffele and Sweden's Henrik Norlander on nine-under-par.

Carlos Ortiz, who shared the overnight lead with Reed, had a day to forget after dropping six shots on the back nine to finish with a 78 and tumble down the leaderboard to a tie for twenty-ninth.

Spain's Jon Rahm got off to a strong start but struggled on the back nine, eventually carding an even-par 72 to finish tied seventh one shot ahead of a resurgent Francesco Molinari of Italy who closed with a round of 66. 

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for 16th place on six-under-par.