JERSEY CITY — It was like old times for Patrick Reed, who stood triumphant on the 18th green at Liberty National Golf Club as scattered cries of “Captain America” rang out.

Sunday was the first time since Reed’s last victory, at the 2018 Masters, that he entered the final round with the lead. Reed, who closed with a two-under 69 for a 72-hole total of 16-under 268 , said of course Georgia was on his mind.

He drew on the moments at Augusta National in which he had to weather other players’ charges. But that experience was not Reed’s touchstone for grinding out a one-stroke victory over Abraham Ancer at The Northern Trust this weekend in the first of three FedEx Cup playoff events.

Two years ago, Reed helped lead the United States to a victory in the Presidents Cup at this same course, compiling a 3-1-1 record against the International squad. From the opening tee shot on Sunday, Reed’s final-group pairing with Ancer, of Mexico, felt like a sneak preview of this year’s Presidents Cup, which will be held in Australia in December .