It seems hilariously harmless at first glance. A non-story if you will.
But Wednesday’s tee-throwing incident between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy is more layered than the revetted bunkers at the Open Championship.
As the video shows, Reed approaches McIlroy ahead of a practice round for the Dubai Desert Classic. Rory seemingly ignores his peer, prompting Reed to turn around and flick a tee in McIlroy’s general direction.
After the fact, Rory went on to state, “Patrick came up to say hello, and I didn’t really want him to.”
“If roles were reversed and I’d have thrown that tee at him, I’d be expecting a lawsuit,” he continued.
For context, Reed, since joining the LIV Tour, has issued multiple civil suits against numerous members of the golf world. His lawyer, in a case unrelated to Reed, reportedly issued a subpoena to McIlroy on Christmas Eve, which is the breeding ground for this disdain.
“I’m living in reality, I don’t know where [Patrick’s] living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”
Reed shot back at Rory, stating “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.”
Here’s hoping these two get paired up over the weekend.
Reed is in the wrong on this one.
most stressful game of golf so far this year