Patrick Reed was accused by a large number of golf fans on social media of “cheating” during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open in Torrey Pines, after a controversial decision on par 4’s 10th hole.
Reed sent his opening shot to the fairway bunker and then hit his second shot on the left side of the green, where the controversy started.
Here’s Patrick Reed’s full clip for people who haven’t seen him yet. Is this a fair decision? pic.twitter.com/isvJ2umVvX
– GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) January 30, 2021
Patrick Reed with a VERY dubious decision here. He states that the ball is embedded in the rough after not bouncing first (which he did) and catching the ball before talking to a rules official. Here is the conversation with the officer pic.twitter.com/pJn4Kb7I3Y
– GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) January 30, 2021
The American took his ball and started to move it after considering that the ball had “embedded in the grass” – and, as a result, he was entitled to a free drop for an embedded ball.
However, in a video replay of the photo, it was evident that Reed’s ball had bounced before diving into the bum. WATCH the videos above to decide; you can also hear the conversation between Reed and the rules officer.
“I checked and I believe it paved the way,” said Reed when PGA Tour rules officer Brad Fabel came to speak to the American.
“Since I picked it up to check, it looked like it broke. They said it didn’t bounce.”
Fabel approached to see where the ball had entered the grass and thought it had spiked. He said he felt a “lip” where the ball had hit the ground. Reed replied, “I thought so, but I just wanted to check again.”
The former Masters champion was then informed that he could take a clublength from where the ball had entered the grass, and was able to clear his ball and make a free drop.
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Reed would then launch his ball onto the green at about 25 feet, and continue to putt the pair.
Rules official Ken Tackett later explained during the CBS broadcast that, as the PGA Tour Rules OfficialFabel determined that Reed’s ball at 10 hit the floor, so it doesn’t matter if the ball fell in the second bounce.
If a ball lands on the ground, the player achieves a free fall in accordance with Rule 16 of the Golf Rules.
Despite not receiving a penalty, many golf fans on social media seemed to think that Reed more than ran away with the decision. Here is a look at a series of tweets following the controversial incident.
Sorry to say that, but he’s cheating again. He got his ball, before the Rules Officer came, and the cameras got the ball bouncing before resting, so it couldn’t be a connected ball #cheatinggolfer
– Colin Jones (@ Firegadgy999) January 30, 2021
Reed leaving Torrey before today’s post-round interviews. pic.twitter.com/2s6tm05CiM
– Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) January 30, 2021
If Patrick Reed manages to make it on the PGA Tour, just think about what happens to your club’s monthly medal
– Gerard Stewart (@Gerard_stewart) January 30, 2021
1. He shouldn’t have caught it before a rules officer was there
2 he “may” have not seen the object jump from where he was, but
100% don’t wait! Let’s be honest, golf is not a fast game, which means 2 extra minutes? Or was it not connected and was it just a garbage lie ??– Daniel Digby (@Dan_Digby) January 30, 2021
Reed cheating again. No way will Patrick Reed’s ball get stuck in the SECOND Bounce! #pgatour how they can allow that to happen.
– Torgeir Jørgensen (@Villsvinet) January 30, 2021
Have we considered that perhaps Patrick Reed simply DOES NOT KNOW the rules of golf? It is the only explanation that makes any sense. Dude just out there making it up
– Amanda Coleman (@ Ama_Cole589) January 30, 2021
Patrick Reed has become captivating for golf fans!
– Murray Conallin (@MConallin) January 30, 2021
When will Patrick Reed end up cheating? It is as clear as day. @PGATOUR @Darth_Monty
– Kieran Donnellan (@ Donnellan5) January 30, 2021
I hate Patrick Reed so much. The guy is a cheater always was, always will be #patrickreed
– Big D (@Dr_DGritz) January 30, 2021
Patrick Reed is so incomplete.
– Mac (@DubLifeMac) January 30, 2021
Reed already predicted when it comes to a controversial decision on the pitch, nothing more when apparently improving his lie in the sand at the Hero World Challenge in December 2019 – WATCH HERE.