Trevino’s advice was perfect for Patrick Reed

Rising star Patrick Reed is learning to let his clubs do the talking.

Young Patrick Reed suffered a bit of a backlash after winning the Cadillac Championship at Doral in March.

His boast “I must now be considered one of the Top 5 players in the world. I feel like I’ve proven myself” did not go down well with many players in the locker room.

The 23-year-old dug himself even deeper by proclaiming: “I feel like if I do what I’m supposed to and play like I’m supposed to, then that week I can’t be beat.”

Certainly with three wins in 14 starts, the young Texan was entitled to a feel-good factor, but there were some caustic remarks among his fellow pros.

Was he concerned at the reaction? Was he heck!

“Most of the guys understood,” he claimed. “But some of the stuff written about my comment really did not bother me.

“You have to have a pretty thick skin when you’re an athlete, especially at the top level.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a basketball player, a baseball player or a football player, you need that thick skin.

“I believe in myself, and my team believes in me as well. I hung out with Lee Trevino in Texas last week.

“Not only did we have a lot of fun, he told me there’s nothing wrong with having faith in yourself and saying what you believe in as long as it doesn’t distract you when you’re out there playing.

“And I can honestly say it hasn’t because, when I get out there, I have tunnel vision.”

Yet despite his protests, Reed’s form has dipped since the controversy.

His missed cut in New Orleans last weekend added to his more significant one at the Masters, the first Major of his career.

“I felt I played great there and hit a lot of quality shots, but I left myself in the wrong spots from the tee and on the greens.”

Perhaps Reed realises by now that silence is golden, and, given that he really is a pleasant, quiet-spoken young man, he should perhaps have let his clubs do all the talking.

After all, he is the youngest player to win a WGC event and holds the Tour record as the first player to start a tournament with three rounds of 63 or better.

He is also in the illustrious company of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia who have all won three tournaments before their 24th birthday.

Plus, less than 18 months ago he was 586th in the world rankings, and 20th after his win at Doral.

But, he and his wife, Justine, who caddied for him when he got his card at Q School, are expecting their first child any day now.

“Yeah, my tunnel vision just got wider,” he smiled. “I’ve done a lot of great things, this past year, but right now my focus is on the family, making sure Justine and our baby are healthy.

“No matter what, 2014 will be a great year,” he concluded.