It’s been a sleepy start to the golf year (January is usually like that), but Patrick Reed has given us one juicy talker that’s unearthed some new developments along the way.
On Tuesday morning in the States, a report circulated that Reed threw a tee at Rory McIlroy “in disgust” while on the range at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
Reed is among the players who ditched the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, and Reed and his legal team has also spent much of the last year filing defamation lawsuits against media members and brands. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the world and been the PGA Tour’s primary advocate in its fight vs. LIV Golf.
So fast-forward to Tuesday and a report that Reed approached McIlroy on the range and said hello to McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond, but was never acknowledged by McIlroy. That’s when Reed reportedly threw a tee toward McIlroy.
But up until Wednesday, this was all hearsay. Now, we have video! Check it out.
Apparent footage of the Rory Reed tee 'throwing' incident. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/r35kjE6hO8
— Golf Tips Checker (@GolfTipsChecker) January 25, 2023
If your first thought is that this seems harmless, you’re right. But it’s also true that McIlroy seemed to either not see Reed or ignore him.
Then, during McIlroy’s press conference on Wednesday, we learned more about the incident. McIlroy ignoring Reed was no mistake.
“I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve,” McIlroy said. “So of course, trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well. So again, I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”
Reed didn’t care for McIlroy’s actions or comments apparently, as he told the Daily Mail McIlroy acted like an “immature little child.”
“He saw me and he decided not to not to react,” Reed said. “It’s unfortunate because we’ve always had a good relationship … but it is one of those things, if you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one.”
Teegate is heating up.
