Why Patrick Reed is golf’s notorious bad boy – cheat claims, gay slurs and ‘shushgate’ – Daily Star

The Open golf championship is being held in Scotland this weekend with the world’s top players taking part in the historic tournament.

It is the prestigious competition’s 150th year and the best golfers from across the globe will be descending on St Andrew’s for the four day event.

All the big names will be there – including Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

READ MORE: Tiger Woods’ net worth: How the billionaire player boosted his fortune with endorsements

And amongst them will be those who are also household names – but for all the wrong reasons.

One of them will be golf’s “bad boy” , the American Patrick Reed, who has been hit by allegations of cheating, gay slurs and swearing.

Reed, 31, whose nickname is ‘Captain America’, is a Marmite figure in the golfing world – with fans either adoring him and his maverick ways, or openly hating him.

His exploits both on and off the course have earned him the title of “golf’s villain” and – like any self-respecting bad boy – he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Since turning professional 11 years ago, he’s won nine times on the PGA circuit and three times on the European tour.

But it’s his off the fairways antics which have hit the headlines, with him revelling in his bad boy persona.

Bitter feud with family

Reed has been married to his wife Justine for 10 years, who was previously his caddy, and they have a daughter, Windsor-Wells. His new caddy is Justine’s brother, Kessler Karain.

But that is where family love and unity ends because Reed has not spoken to his parents Bill and Jeanette Reed, or his younger sister, Hannah, since he married Justine in 2012.

He also did not invite them to his wedding and only considers Justine’s family close.

But despite this estrangement, Reed’s family continue to attend tournaments where he plays – even after Reed allegedly asked security to escort them out of the 2014 US Open.

Allegations of cheating and stealing

Reed is reported to have left the University of Georgia under a cloud after he was arrested for underage drinking and caught in possession of a fake ID. He admits he left after a couple of drinking-related incidents.

But he’s vehemently denied other, more serious, rumours that he cheated on the golf course by claiming another player’s ball when it was in a better position.

He’s also rubbished claims that he stole $400 and a Scotty Cameron putter from teammates.

When he transferred to Augusta State, his problems continued when he was suspended within a few weeks of his arrival by a coach for unspecified “violations of team rules”.

He was also reportedly so unpopular with his teammates that they wanted him out.

And he continued to be dogged by cheating rumours when he was twice suspected of declaring lower scores than he’d actually shot, all of which he denies.

Swearing and gay slurs

In 2014, Reed had to apologise for using homophobic language in a sweary rant at himself on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

After shooting a bogey on the first hole, TV microphones picked up his subsequent cursing.

He was clearly heard saying: “Nice f****** three-putt, you f****** f****t.”

Shushgate

At the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Reed went full pantomime villain, lifting his fingers to his lips and shushing the European crowd after sinking a putt on the seventh hole – which became known as ‘shushgate’.

Some reports claimed he needed a police escort when leaving the club as spectators’ anger towards him threatened to boil over.

He went on to further enrage the golfing public by speaking of his indifference to the fans.

“Honestly I don’t really care what people say on Twitter or what they say if they are cheering for me or not cheering for me. I’m out here to do my job, and that’s to play golf,” he said.

Rivalry with Rory McIlroy

Two years on from ‘shushgate’, Reed was involved in yet more Ryder Cup controversy as he and Rory McIlroy were involved in a dramatic battle.

The pair were on top form, going hole-for-hole at Hazeltine and winding one another up with over-exuberant celebrations and cheers.

Celebrating one putt, McIlroy stoked the flames by mocking Reed’s shushing. Reed responded by cranking up his own shouts.

While the exchanges appeared to be good-natured – the pair were later seen fist-bumping – they did nothing to help Reed’s image as a brash character.

But he’s not all bad…

Whatever else he is, Reed deserves credit for his bravery and patriotism.

When his compatriots Dustin Johnson and Jordan Speith declined to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics, citing the threat of the Zika virus, that didn’t deter Reed.

He couldn’t wait to compete in Brazil, saying: “Any time I can wear stars and stripes, I do it.”

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