Patrick Reed says he’s no cheat and things are “now turning personal”
Patrick Reed has said he is not a cheat as he fronted the media ahead of this week’s Presidents Cup in Melbourne.
Reed defended his “unintentional” actions during the Hero World Challenge that led to a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in a bunker.
“The ball was in a waste area, I didn’t feel like it was intentional or anything”, Reed told the media. “And if I would’ve saw the sand move, I would’ve known immediately if it did then that’s a penalty”.
One reporter cut straight to the chase and asked if Reed cheated.
“No, of course not” Reed replied.
The strongest part of the interview came when Reed was asked about Australian Cameron Smith’s strong comments about the incident.
Smith told AAP’s Evin Priest yesterday that he had no sympathy for anyone who cheats.
“If you make a mistake maybe once, you could maybe understand but to give a bit of a bullshit response like the camera angle, that’s pretty up there,” Smith said.
“I don’t have any sympathy for anyone that cheats. I hope the crowd absolutely gives it to not only him, but everyone next week.”
Reed told reporters that anyone using the word “cheat” hurts.
“It just turned in now from wanting to beat those guys to now turning personal, so it’s going to be a fun week.”
Justin Falconer shared a short clip of Reed’s press conference at Royal Melbourne.
P Reed pleads ignorance and says ‘cheat’ is “not the right word to use”.
Adds “It’s now turned from wanting to beat those guys to now turning personal… so it’s gonna be a fun week.” Hooboy. #PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/4CqZHFKLj0
— Justin Falconer (@justinjfalconer) December 10, 2019
Earlier today, Reed found an unlikely ally in Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy told Brian Whacker at Golfworld that it wouldn’t have been a big deal if it wasn’t Patrick Reed.
“I don’t think it would be a big deal if it wasn’t Patrick Reed,” McIlroy said. “A lot of people within the game, it’s almost a hobby to kick him while he’s down.”
Brandel Chamblee then tore into Patrick Reed on the Golf Channel and anyone who defends him.
Even some of Patrick Reed’s fellow teammates are getting in on the action.
Justin Thomas took a swipe of his own while preparing to play a bunker shot during a practice round.
“P.Reed, is this right?” Thomas said before sweeping back the sand behind his golf ball.
— Adele Huggard (@ahgolf01) December 10, 2019
