“It’s B.S.”: What Patrick Reed thinks about the cheating and theft allegations against him

Patrick Reed is a name that has become synonymous with both triumph and controversy in the world of professional golf. A Masters champion, Ryder Cup hero, and relentless competitor, Reed has carved out a unique place for himself in the sport, drawing both ardent admirers and vocal critics. Reed recently gave an interview to Golf.com in which his controversial personality was on full display.

It was Golf.com’s Dylan Dethier who took on the task of confronting Patrick Reed with some of the most controversial passages of his career. Such was the case with the cheating and theft allegations that have dogged him since his days at the University of Georgia in Athens (UGA).

“I have no idea where that came from. Absolutely no idea,” Reed said. “I mean, both coaches even signed statements saying that, no, I have never stolen or cheated ever. So, I mean, that stuff to me is BS obviously.”

These allegations came to light in journalist Shane Ryan’s book “Slaying the Tiger: A Year Inside the Ropes on the New PGA Tour.”

“I mean, I don’t know who [did it],” Patrick Reed said, “because it’s all these unnamed sources [and] no one is actually putting a name to it. So, it’s one of those where I don’t know how or why it has come out especially [considering] it didn’t come out whilst I was in college. No one has ever come up to me.”

“The reason I left UGA is because I was unhappy and to be honest with you I’m glad I did because who knows what those next couple of years would have been like.”

Patrick Reed had repeated problems at UGA, including a 60-hour community service sentence for underage drinking. His problems even led to his dismissal from the university’s golf team, prompting him to transfer to Augusta State University, where he successfully resumed his U.S. collegiate golf career. Reed sued Shane Ryan over the allegations published in his book.

Reed has been involved in several similar controversies during his professional career, as he has been accused of allegedly breaking the rules on several occasions. The most notorious and well remembered are the sand shifting case at the 2019 Hero World Challenge and the free relief case at the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open.

The Rise of Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed’s path to golfing greatness began at a young age, as he honed his skills and developed a fierce competitive spirit.

“The first signs of greatness were probably around 15 or 14,” Patrick Reed recalled, “when I started playing on the high school golf team and competing in AJGA events against older, more experienced players.” It was during this formative period that Reed learned a valuable lesson about staying true to his own game plan, rather than simply emulating the strategies of others.”

“I remember playing in my first PGA Tour event, and I saw the other guys hitting irons off the tee,” Reed explained. “I thought, ‘Maybe I need to do that too,’ and I completely changed my approach.”

“I ended up missing the cut, and that’s when my coach sat me down and said, ‘You need to stick to your game plan. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.'” This pivotal moment would shape Reed’s approach to the game, as he learned to embrace his own unique style and identity.”

The Polarizing Persona

Patrick Reed’s unwavering confidence and self-belief have often been the source of both admiration and criticism. His bold proclamation that he was one of the “best players in the world” after winning the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship drew the ire of some, who saw it as an act of hubris. However, Reed remains unapologetic about his self-assurance, believing that it is a necessary component of success in the highly competitive world of professional golf.

“Every athlete, every competitor believes that they can win every week,” Reed sayed. “If you don’t believe in yourself, there’s no point in being here.” This steadfast belief in his own abilities has been both a blessing and a curse, as it has fueled his rise to the top but has also made him a target for those who see his confidence as arrogance.

The pinnacle of Patrick Reed’s career thus far came in 2018, when he donned the coveted green jacket as the champion of the Masters Tournament. Facing off against a star-studded field that included the likes of Rory McIlroy, Reed remained true to his game plan, refusing to be swayed by the pressure or the presence of his more celebrated competitors.

“The biggest thing was being true and sticking to a game plan,” Reed reflects. “It would have been very easy to stray from that, to try to keep the lead or play like another major champion. But we kept our focus, and it paid off.”

The victory at Augusta National was a defining moment in Patrick Reed’s career, but it also brought with it a renewed spotlight and increased scrutiny. As a self-proclaimed “villain” in the eyes of some, Reed has had to navigate the challenges of maintaining his authenticity while also dealing with the media’s attempts to cast him in a negative light.

Who is Patrick Reed? He’s a Masters champion. He’s a Ryder Cup hero. He’s a relentless competitor and he’s a golfing villain, depending on who you ask. So we decided to ask Reed.

Breakthrough with Patrick Reed (and @dylan_dethier) is out now. https://t.co/j7yGihe9aK pic.twitter.com/XnXEkJGGc4

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 7, 2024

The LIV Golf Transition and Beyond

In recent years, Reed’s career has taken another turn, as he has become one of the high-profile defectors to the controversial LIV Golf league. This move has only added to the polarizing nature of his persona, with some seeing it as a betrayal of the PGA Tour and others applauding his willingness to explore new opportunities.

“I feel like we have more control on LIV, more control of us and things that we can do and can’t do,” Reed says. “The lesser schedule allows us to do more with that, to give back, to grow ourselves outside of just being Patrick Reed the golfer.”

As he looks to the future, Reed remains steadfast in his commitment to being true to himself, regardless of the opinions and criticisms that may come his way.

“If you’re not guilty and you feel like you did the right thing, you’re going to play better,” he sayed. “If you’re trying to finagle your way around something or you’re guilty about something, you’re not going to play well.”

With a Masters title, Ryder Cup heroics, and a relentless competitive spirit, Patrick Reed has carved out a unique place for himself in the pantheon of professional golf. Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that he is a force to be reckoned with, a player who has never shied away from the spotlight or the challenges that come with it.