hes with his father watching in Death Valley. The son of Clemson

TROON, Scotland -- Ten years ago this week, Patrick Reed fell in love with links golf.He won the 2006 Junior Open Championship in this corner of the world at Heswall Golf Club, quickly figuring out how to hit various shots in different conditions than hed been accustomed to back home in the United States.The ball never seemed to stop, he said with a laugh Thursday after posting an opening-round 5-under 66 to put himself in contention for the lead at The Open.But if that love for links golf was stoked while he played, it was set ablaze just days later.Before he returned home, Reed attended a practice round and the first round of The Open, held that week at Royal Liverpool. An unabashed Tiger Woods fan, Reed followed the eventual champion around the course, marveling at his ability to hit shots the 15-year-old had never before witnessed in person.I was in awe of how he was hitting golf shots, seeing this 2-iron somehow staying that low for 240 yards in the air, recalled Reed, who turns 26 next month. Im thinking, How is that ball going that far? And the kind of control he had, Im just like, Man, this guy is really good.Some players, especially some American players, have to learn to love this type of golf. First they endure it, then they embrace it. Thats when success usually happens.For Reed, there was no transition period. It was love at first sight.I always thought it would be fun because I love to create shots and hit the funny things, he said. At home, we cant do that. Its too soft. So you cant hit the stinger 2-iron and let it run, or the low hook chip shot and watch it bounce up a hill and kind of trickle over. Those arent things we can do at home. Its more thick rough, take the ball in the air and try to stop it. So I feel like my creative side has been able to come out.Reeds opening round consisted of an eagle hole-out on the third hole and five birdies against just two bogeys. It tied the lowest first-round score in Royal Troons tournament history (although that mark was bested later Thursday by?Phil Mickelsons 63).That wasnt the only thing that should have Reed confident about the next three days, though.He played the Scottish Open last week; five of the past six Open champions played that event the week before. Hes American; each of the previous six champions at Troon has been American. He posted a sub-70 score; 10 of the past 11 Open winners opened with rounds in the 60s.Reed doesnt just like playing golf here, though. He likes everything here.The simplicity, he said. Last week when I was over, when we were driving from the golf course to the hotel, theres just a lot of farmland, a lot of scenery. You see the water to the left, the farms to the right. Its just a two-lane road going in and out. So you literally just have that kind of relaxed feeling that you have golf and then relaxing time. At home, its golf, sit in traffic, traffic lights, a thousand cars, people honking at you, and then you get home and youre trying to go through a busy hotel, so its still stressful off the golf course. Here it seems like its just golf and then just kind of relax, have some fun.Its definitely a way different pace than back home. Its nice. Its a great change of pace.Perhaps this gives new meaning to the actions of a guy who two years ago playfully shushed the home crowd at the European-based Ryder Cup.Hed love to stay quiet this week, flying under the radar of the bigger names on the leaderboard. That might not be possible, but his attitude -- an attitude born a decade ago -- should serve him well.I think the key is just to have fun with it, he explained. You know youre going to get some bad breaks here and there, but at the same time youre going to get some good breaks, and you just have to know how to handle it mentally.Cheap Lakers Jerseys . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Los Angeles Lakers Gear . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Los Angeles Lakers Pro Shop . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Lakers Jerseys China .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena.CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hoped his team would end an early season funk with a big game and some big plays against South Carolina State. Chances came early and often in a 59-0 rout on Saturday.The game was such a mismatch that the fifth-ranked Tigers (3-0) scored two touchdowns in the first quarter with no time running off the clock and the coaches agreed to shorten the third and fourth quarters from 15 minutes to 12.An NCAA rule allows for games to be shortened by time.Swinney knew the Tigers had questions about themselves after two, less-than-crisp offensive showings against Auburn and Troy. In this one, Clemson put up 31 points in the first quarter to improve to 31-0 against Football Championship Subdivision opponents.This was great for our team, for our spirit and our morale, Swinney said.Clemson led 45-0 at the half against the Bulldogs (0-3), with Deshaun Watson throwing three TD passes to get the Tigers rolling.I enjoyed myself, Watson said with a smile. There was a lot more energy on the sidelines, too.Clemson, with three wins to open the season for the fifth time in the last six years -- is 31-0 against FCS teams.The lopsided score comes after Watson told fans he was sorry for the 30-24 win over Troy for any negative energy he brought to that game. This time, he was the 4-of-4 on the opening drive that ended with a 7-yard TD pass to Ray-Ray McCloud.Watson and McCloud also connected on a 36-yard scoring pass. Watson threw a 17-yard TD to Deon Cain in the second quarter before heading to the sideline.The strangest sequence of the game involved a first-quarter gaffe by South Carolina States Ahmaad Harris on a kickoff return after a Clemson TD. He flipped the ball to the official in the end zone before taking a knee to stop the action. Clemsons Denzel Johnson recovered the fumble -- 14 points, no time off the clock.Watson completed 12 of 15 passes for 152 yards.Swinney said referees approached him about the shortened game and then, after agreeing, officials spoke with South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough, who also said yes. Hes got a game Thursday night himself, so youve got to look on his side as well, Pough said. Anything we can do to make our teams better for the next week, we probably needded to do.ddddddddddddTHE TAKEAWAYSouth Carolina St: The Bulldogs will be grateful to return to their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after losing its first three games against FBS opponents by a combined 150-24 score. Weve had the three-game trip from hell, Pough said. Hopefully, we can regroup and get ourselves ready to play in our league.Clemson: The Tigers were looking for offensive confidence and got some in the blowout win. However, things wont be so easy when Clemson starts ACC play on Thursday night at Georgia Tech. Watson and his offense, some who thought would be the most dynamic attack college football had seen in years, will need to prove their skills against bigger opponents if they hope to return to the College Football Playoffs.HOT SUBSHolder Seth Ryan, son of Buffalo coach Rex Ryan, had two catches with his father watching in Death Valley. The son of Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich, grad student and reserve tight end Grant, caught a short pass and then leaped a Bulldogs defender as his teammates jumped and screamed in excitement.POLL IMPLICATIONSCLEMSON: The Tigers win wont do much to enhance or detract their spot in the rankings. The team theyre chasing in the ACC is likely to flip after No. 10 Louisvilles dismantling of No. 2 Florida State, 63-20. The Clemson-Louisville debate should be settled at Death Valley in two weeks when Louisville plays here on Oct. 1.KEY NUMBERSSOUTH CAROLINA STATE: The Bulldogs managed only 48 yards rushing on 32 carries. Their punter, Jerome Pettiway, probably saw the most action with 10 kicks for a 40.1 average.CLEMSON: The Tigers put up offensive numbers that were routine last season -- 555 yards and 27 first downs en route to their most points since routing Virginia 59-10 in 2013.UP NEXTSouth Carolina St: Bulldogs open MEAC play, and face their first non-FBS opponent, at Florida A&M on Saturday.Clemson: The Tigers start conference play in the ACC at Georgia Tech on Thursday night. Clemson has lost its past five games in Atlanta with its last victory at Georgia Tech coming in 2003.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '