How do we always end up here with Patrick Reed?
Once again, Reed has found himself in the crosshairs of his critics. This time it was Reed not taking responsibility for a two-shot penalty he incurred when he broke a rule.
Rules get broken in golf. What makes golf different from other sports is, the majority of the time, it’s self-reported. Even when it isn’t, if there was a rule broken, golfers generally accept any and all responsibility. But it seemed like Reed wanted to blame anyone but himself.
“It’s unfortunate because even though they weren’t, I wish [the cameras] were actually directly on the side of me, because it was in a pretty good footprint but the footprint was a full footprint.” (Golf.com)
What brings Reed’s integrity in question is, he’s seemingly always in a controversial position. This goes all the way back to his time at the University of Georgia.
As the US team prepares for the President’s Cup, members of the International team have made it clear that there’s no room for “cheaters”.
“I don’t have any sympathy for anyone that cheats. I hope the crowd absolutely gives it to not only him (Patrick Reed), but everyone (on the American team) next week. But anyone’s cheating the rules, I’m not up for that.” -Cameron Smith
— Ron Mintz (@MintzGolf) December 8, 2019
Fellow International Team member, Marc Leishman expects Reed to be a target of the fans.
“Pretty ordinary.”
“He’s definitely opened the door there. He’s brought it on himself.” ?
Victorian @marcleish isn’t doubting #TeamINTL fans will be out in force next week at the @PresidentsCup! ??????????????? #PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/MEHVuOeLuU
— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) December 7, 2019
Reed is already a player that’s hard to pair someone up with. How will this impact who Tiger Woods chooses to be Reed’s playing partner? I don’t think Woods can protect Reed by pairing him with Woods’ other Captain’s pick… Tiger Woods.
We all know the President’s Cup could use as much attention as it can get given the American dominance but this isn’t the attention it needs.
Golf has always been known as an “integrity” sport and that shouldn’t change. There’s no room for “if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying”.
Whether it’s real or a perception, Reed has come off to his peers as someone who has adopted that motto. It isn’t good for him. It isn’t good for the sport.
The President’s Cup deserves a week of spirited competition without Reed’s antics.
