There is no question that Seve Ballesteros possessed the most magical short game in the history of the sport.
Other stars have come close to Seve, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jose Maria Olazabal.
However, one of Mickelson’s fellow LIV golfers has been named as the player who comes as close to Seve as anyone around the greens.
Seve Ballesteros even taught Tiger Woods a thing or two when it comes to the short game.
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The late great Spaniard was naturally gifted with any kind of wedge in his hand.
In fact, he was known for his ability to get up and down with any club – even a 3-iron!
Many professional golfers look up to Seve and view him as an inspiration when it comes to chipping and pitching.
However, there is only one player who has got close to the five-time major champion’s short game according to famous caddie Billy Foster.
Billy Foster claims Patrick Reed has the best short game since Seve Ballesteros
Patrick Reed produced a magnificent win in Dubai last week.
Golf fans still find it difficult to warm to Reed, in spite of his exceptional talent.
Reed’s strongest attribute is definitely his short game and it’s impossible not to be impressed when watching the American around the greens.
When speaking during Sky Sports’ broadcast of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, Nick Dougherty shared with Reed what Foster told Wayne Riley about his short game.
Dougherty said: “He said he spoke to Billy Foster, because Billy Foster used to caddie for the great Seve at one point, and Billy said to him that Patrick is as close as anyone’s been to Seve around the greens.
“When you hear that sort of a compliment, what does that mean to you?“
And Reed responded with genuine gratitude.
“That means so much,“ the American replied.
“If there’s one guy that I wished I had the opportunity to meet, especially in the golf world, it would have been Seve.
“I would have been like, ‘Hey, grab a wedge or whatever club you want, and let’s go and have a chipping contest‘. Because you see videos, you hear about it and actually you don’t see it in person. That would have been absolutely amazing.
“And, you know, to hear something like that, it means a lot to me, especially with how hard I work on my short game.
“Trust me, it has saved me a lot in the past and everything like that, and you know, I feel like right now, with my short game, how it is and everything, I just have to be careful not to get too aggressive.
“Because, I mean, especially on a golf course like this, I start taking some things on that I shouldn’t, and too much on it (his short game).“
Patrick Reed’s golf game deserves more respect
The American would have been absolutely chuffed to hear what Foster said about his short game.
Reed has received plenty of criticism throughout his career to date, but what cannot be debated is the sheer quality of his golf.
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He’s certainly not the most popular player in the game…
He jumped up to number 29 in the world rankings after his win in Dubai but, really, he’s a top-10 player in the world.
The 35-year-old continues to travel the globe playing in tournaments almost every single week throughout the year.
He may not be the most popular player in the eyes of golf fans the world over.
However, the 2018 Masters champion is highly respected by his peers and those closely involved in the game.
Billy Foster comparing Patrick Reed’s short game to that of Seve Ballesteros is evidence of that.
