Reed achieved a two-under-par round of 70

American Patrick Reed took advantage of a controversial drop to share the lead after the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open in California.

Reed & # 39; s second shot from a bunker on the 10th found it rough. Believing that the ball was "embedded in the turf," he moved it before calling an official.

The officer believed he was embedded, allowing Reed to free fall. He then pierced the putt for par.

But TV reruns showed the ball bounce once before settling into the rough.

"The official rules said we did it absolutely perfectly," said 30-year-old Reed, the 2018 Masters champion.

"When we're there, we can't see everything and when that happens, you have to rely on what the volunteers say, what the rules say that officials say.

" When it comes to pushing and shoving, we felt we were doing the right thing. "

In December 2019, Reed was given a two-stroke sentence at the Hero World Challenge for improving the location of his ball as he moved sand into a bunker with his practice swing.

Reed is 10 in the bottom of Torrey Pines, along with Carlos Ortiz from Mexico, who had taken five shots before the turn.

After the drop incident, he bogeyed four of his next eight h oles.

Reed and Ortiz led by two shots from a group of five, including Spaniard Jon Rahm and Australian Adam Scott, while Rory McIlroy is on seven under.