JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 11: Patrick Reed of the United States celebrates with the winner's trophy after the final round of The Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club on August 11, 2019 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Reed takes Northern Trust title

Patrick Reed defended his slender overnight lead to win the Northern Trust in New Jersey by one stroke after shooting a final round 69.

The 29-year-old American, who won the US Masters Tournament in 2018, began the day one shot ahead of Abraham Ancer and that is the way it finished after the Mexican also carded a two-under-par 69.

Reed made three birdies and three bogeys on his outward nine holes, but the European Tour member did not drop another shot and picked up two more birdies at the 14th and 16th, sealing victory with a three foot par putt.

Ancer bogeyed the fourth and sixth but shot four birdies in total, at the third, eighth, 16th and 17th, to finish one stroke ahead of American Harold Varner III and Spaniard Jon Rahm, who shot 68 and 69 respectively.

Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Danny Willett all started the day amongst the chasing pack but were unable to make any impression on the top two.

McIlroy, four shots behind overnight, birdied seven holes but dropped shots at five others to finish with a 69, still four shots adrift and tied for sixth place alongside Jordan Spieth, Louis Oosthuizen and Brandt Snedeker.

Rose shot a level-par 71 to finish joint tenth with fellow Englishman Ian Poulter, who closed with a 68, while Willett fell away to finish tied in 24th place after a four-over-par 75.