Patrick Reed depicted as a win-at-all-costs competitor and accused of cheating in a new book excerpt

[rkim291968]

So many of us do stupid things when we are 17, honestly stealing $400 and lieing about it is no different then 80% of the golfers who don't turn in low scores to skew their handicap and then enter a tournament and win prizes from those of us who do turn in every card.

I'd like to see the honest stats of 18 and under boys who shoplifted or stole something. I'd bet it is upwards of 75%.

I beg to differ.  One can end up in jail for stealing $400 from a locker.  Stealing money from a locker, selling the stuff for cash are felonies.  Lying and not entering low scores ... not so much.    Winning at all cost can be a good trait as long as you don't cheat and hurt others in doing so.  I am ok with that.  But didn't he claim to be a top 5 golfer in the world in one of the interviews?   And then there was that "f----t" comment.    There were a lot of people cheering for Reed after the last Ryder cup but the guy has a lot of growing up to do.   I will be pleasantly surprised if he changes for better.

[Lastpick]

Reed's comment about being a top five golfer was not out of line.  I am a fan of Tiger, but he had the foulest mouth on tour for years and nobody ever mentioned that.  As far as the here say comments from a college team mate from years ago, I consider it either sour grapes or just a piece of self promotion.

[colin007]

Reed's comment about being a top five golfer was not out of line.  I am a fan of Tiger, but he had the foulest mouth on tour for years and nobody ever mentioned that .  As far as the here say comments from a college team mate from years ago, I consider it either sour grapes or just a piece of self promotion.

First of all, there's plenty of guys on tour who swear more than he does, you just don't hear them. The cameras are always on Tiger and that's why his swearing is picked up. Second, his swearing has been mentioned and criticized for many many years.

[iacas]

First of all, there's plenty of guys on tour who swear more than he does, you just don't hear them. The cameras are always on Tiger and that's why his swearing is picked up.

Second, his swearing has been mentioned and criticized for many many years.

Uh, yeah. This x 30.

C'mon @Lastpick , what are you talking about? People were ripping on Tiger BAD every time he'd say anything. Just ask @Rick Martin .

[natureboy]

Interesting read but can't say I'm shocked.  Only part of the story I disagree with was the first paragraph.   Sorry, I don't think he looks powerful, I think he looks fat.   As for cheating in tournaments and stealing from teammates, those are pretty serious accusations and I would have preferred they were substantiated or not included in the piece.

The rest isn't far from the guy we see on television.  He's a good to great golfer that's very arrogant, cocky and seems to have little respect for anyone on the Tour (including Tiger).   I don't know the full story but I have difficulty respecting or liking any person that disrespects their parents and cuts ties with their family.  If it wasn't for his parents, he'd likely never be playing professional golf or might be jail.

His arrogant attitude will suit him well for winning golf tournaments (he was great in the Ryder Cup) but I fear he'll lose in the game of life.  What's the point of winning all those tournaments and money if you have no family or friends to share it with.  We'll see how closely he follows in Tigers footsteps and if he falls into the same pitfalls of fame Tiger did.  Maybe Justine fears that as well and that's why she or her brother are his caddie and they are in attendance at so many of his tournaments.

Full story is what we often don't see. It is concerning that he broke ties with family, but there is such a thing as overcontrolling / stage parents too. Usually there is reconciliation when the person has established boundaries that are also respected.

If someone has something against you for some reason and have a lack of ethics which they project on someone else it is possible for them to manufacture / manipulate circumstances to create / invent / embellish a narrative to suit. It is wise to avoid karmic traps, but dirty tricks campaigns also exist and can enable confirmation bias and self-fulfilled prophecies.

Not saying that is what happened in his case. Just that these are possibilities and should be kept in mind before a quick reach for the nearest stone.

[PJCdude]

This story really makes me wish he had a more redeeming personality. There's nothing wrong with his INSANE competitive drive and desire to get revenge against Georiga Tech. It almost made me want to root for him....then I remembered he was a lying, cheating scumbag. I really hope he cleans up his act cause he clearly has the talent to be a star.

[PJCdude]

That being said, still a fan of the Ryder Cup shhhhh

[Kingkat1954]

After reading the article, I am more convinced than ever to keep watching pros like Snedecker, Stricker, and other golfers that look like they know how to act, and behave on a golf course. I do not mind being competitive, but Reed puts a whole new spin on it.

[atb5079]

Real good read. Not surprising at all. Not so sure Reed will ever get over himself. Some people cannot be changed. With that said, hell of a competitor and bet he wins more majors in the next 5 years than Tiger, Sergio, Furyk, Mahan, and Rickie win the remainder of their careers.

[DeadMan]

A new twist on this whole thing. Reed goes on Golf Channel, says this is all made up. And he says he has support and affidavits to prove it. Well, maybe not: http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/haacks-affidavit-and-assistants-statement-cast-new-light-on-patrick-reed-controversy

Seems like there might be some fire to this smoke.

[Aguirre]

The most profane rant I've ever heard from a pro was by Corey Pavin.  And he's supposed to be a mild-mannered Christian and what not.

[Undr Par]

A new twist on this whole thing. Reed goes on Golf Channel, says this is all made up. And he says he has support and affidavits to prove it. Well, maybe not: http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/haacks-affidavit-and-assistants-statement-cast-new-light-on-patrick-reed-controversy

Seems like there might be some fire to this smoke.

this story can't seem to escape Reed huh? wow seems almost as if someone is paying to put this info out there for us all to see to place a dark cloud over him..hmm wonder if Harris English is behind this? lol  just kidding, honestly I don't know Patrick Reed, never will meet him and can only say what I do know about him, he's a fine golfer and a player who seems (game wise) to be heading in the right direction, sure wish people (myself included) weren't always so condemning of others and held onto those feeling their entire life's, after all people can and do change...hope this doesn't affect him golf wise.

[Crim]

A new twist on this whole thing. Reed goes on Golf Channel, says this is all made up. And he says he has support and affidavits to prove it. Well, maybe not: http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/haacks-affidavit-and-assistants-statement-cast-new-light-on-patrick-reed-controversy

Seems like there might be some fire to this smoke.

I think the author (Wei) downplays Patrick's coach's statement. The coach said he wasn't aware of any allegations of cheating. That's a big deal IMO. If there was cheating & stealing going on w/ more than one occasion, I really feel like the head coach would hear something about it....

[DeadMan]

I think the author (Wei) downplays Patrick's coach's statement. The coach said he wasn't aware of any allegations of cheating. That's a big deal IMO. If there was cheating & stealing going on w/ more than one occasion, I really feel like the head coach would hear something about it....

Disagree. The coach's statement has a HUGE qualifier:

" While Patrick Reed was at UGA , I was not aware of any allegations..."

Why doesn't the coach just say he never heard any allegations of cheating full stop? Why does he qualify it by saying while Reed was at UGA? The implication is that something came to light after Reed left UGA. The simpler statement is that he was not aware of any allegations about Reed at any time. In vacuum, I think it wouldn't be a big deal. But with all that's swirling, about Reed, I can't help but read between the lines that something was brought to the UGA coach's attention after Reed left the program.

[Silent]

I agree with Deadman. Adding 'while he was at UGA' raises question and makes you (me) wonder...

[DeadMan]

Yeah, it's mealy mouthed lawyer crap. And I would know, because I'm a lawyer.

[Crim]

Disagree. The coach's statement has a HUGE qualifier:

"While Patrick Reed was at UGA, I was not aware of any allegations..."

Why doesn't the coach just say he never heard any allegations of cheating full stop? Why does he qualify it by saying while Reed was at UGA? The implication is that something came to light after Reed left UGA. The simpler statement is that he was not aware of any allegations about Reed at any time. In vacuum, I think it wouldn't be a big deal. But with all that's swirling, about Reed, I can't help but read between the lines that something was brought to the UGA coach's attention after Reed left the program.

I don't see it that way at all, I just figured he put it that way because anything else beyond UGA isn't affiliated with him. I suppose some will try to reed between those lines, but I wont.

[Golfingdad]

I finally read the story in the OP.  Interesting piece, but I will say I was not a big fan of the author flat out calling him a liar at the beginning, based on his body language.

Quote:

From Reed’s body language after I said O’Connor’s name, I got the sense that he knew exactly what I was talking about. I believe that he lied

This one was at least qualified it with an "I believe," but he does it a second time ...

Quote:

Those responses came quickly, and reminded me of an old trope: The cop standing in front of a grisly car wreck, saying, “move along, nothing to see here!” Again, they said what they had to say. And again, they were lying.

Would've just preferred an "I got the impression" or something like that in there.  Just nit-picking though.

Overall, a fascinating piece.