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The Open: 5 Sunday match-ups we want to see at the 2018 British Open

By Kyle Walton

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CHASKA, MN – OCTOBER 02: Rory McIlroy of Europe and Patrick Reed of the United States look on from the fourth tee during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
CHASKA, MN – OCTOBER 02: Rory McIlroy of Europe and Patrick Reed of the United States look on from the fourth tee during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

1. Patrick Reed vs. Rory McIlroy

Golf fans around the world will always remember the showdown at Hazeltine just under two years ago. Every fist pump, every roar of the crowd and every momentum swing is engrained in our brains. With the countdown to the 2018 Ryder Cup in full swing, what better way could there be to cap off the Open Championship than a rematch between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.

Reed has undoubtedly been on a career upswing this season. The “Captain America” of golf has turned in eight top-10 performances thus far in 2018. None of those finishes compare to claiming his first major this past April at The Masters.

Entering the final round at Augusta this year Reed held a three-stroke advantage. While he charged onto victory Reed was followed all day long by his Ryder Cup rival Rory McIlroy. McIlroy stumbled down the stretch attempting to gain ground early on against Reed and never could quite catch up in the quest for a green jacket of his own.

Despite his recent shortcomings McIlroy seemed to turn his game around in March at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The three-stroke victory reinvigorated the Northern Ireland native as he enters The Open with a new, relaxed strategy. Regardless of their recent outings, neither man has seemingly been able to capture the electric energy produced in 2016 during the closing round of the Ryder Cup from Hazeltine.

Every emotional putt made that day drew roars from the crowd. Every time one player made a push the other pushed right back. If these two players can go into Sunday at Carnoustie with the same passion golf fans will be ready with the popcorn in what could produce another instant classic.

Next: Each State's Nominee for America's Team

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