You’ll have to really do some hard searching to find someone who is overjoyed with Patrick Reed’s victory in the 82nd Masters.
His parents were not on the grounds at Augusta National, he isn’t on speaking terms with them — hasn’t been for a long time.
There was no entourage from Augusta State University. After all, he played there, but was hardly a popular guy on that golf team.
Forget the University of Georgia, they booted him out of that program.
At best, Reed is a convoluted character, complicated, the perfect “me-first” guy and sometimes that translates better to life in professional golf than life in general. If there is a villain in professional golf, he fits the bill perfectly. He’s no Captain America, he’s more Darth Vader.
There was no thunderous applause for Reed on Sunday at Augusta National. He got what we call “polite applause.” Heck, Charley Manson might have gotten “polite applause” at Augusta National.
Like it or not, Reed, complete with his dubious background baggage, now sports a Green Jacket.
Heard one astute observer sum it up best:
“I was really pulling against him, didn’t want him to win at all. But now that I read all the stuff on his background and history, I feel kinda bad for him.”
Not sure you’ll find any golf parents wanting their kids to grow up with Reed’s persona. Not sure sponsors are all that keen on him either. He is playing right now without an equipment contract. Callaway found him difficult and had he still been with them, Callaway folks would have been horrified at those close-ups of him using that PING driver.
But no matter how we feel about Reed as a person, we’re stuck with him, for better or worse as the 2018 Masters champion.
Now for these casual post-Masters observations:
Rory McIlroy will keep telling himself that he’s going to win The Masters one day. The Masters puts HUGE emphasis on great putting and as long as it does, Rory’s going to have problems. Rory’s opening drive Sunday went 45 degrees offline to the right, perhaps the worst opening drive by a serious contender on Sunday in Masters history. He recovered, saved par then blew his chances to tie for the lead when he missed a five-footer for eagle at two. He’d go on to miss at least four more short, crucial putts on Sunday. ALL putts are crucial on Sunday at a major
“One hundred percent,” McIlroy said when asked if he believes if he will win the Masters at some point. “I play this golf course well. I just haven’t played it well enough at the right time.”
Sure Rory, keep telling yourself that.
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Rickie Fowler can leave Augusta feeling really good about himself. His game is looking really good going into the rest of the season and the patrons were pulling really hard for him down the stretch Sunday.
“I am ready to go win a major,” Fowler declared. “But this was kind of the first major week that I understood that, and know that, and felt that.”
Fowler shot 65-67 on the weekend with 11 birdies, an eagle and just a single bogey.
“So I’m ready to go,” Fowler said. “I’m really looking forward to this year and the three majors that are left.”
Amen to that.
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Jordan Spieth nearly pulled off the greatest comeback in Masters history.
Jordy was nine back at the start of the final round.
“I almost pulled off the impossible,” Spieth said.
With a 30-foot birdie at the 16th, Spieth moved into a tie with Reed.
Playing ahead of Reed, Spieth applied all kinds of pressure before making bogey at 18.
“This round was fantastic,” Spieth said. “Nobody’s going to have a great Sunday every year at Augusta National. To be able to have a chance to win this tournament five years in a row is really, really cool. And that’s how I’m going to take today.”
Spieth posted 8-under-par 64, the lowest final round in Masters history. He stepped to the 18th tee looking to make one more birdie to shoot 62 and equal the lowest final round in any major. It would have gotten him to 15 under, Reed’s winning score.
As for that final tee shot by Spieth, he’s now right behind Rory in the ranks of guys in contention hitting one of the worst drives at 18 ever seen. Went all of 150 yards and someone joked his ball ended up where Condoleeza Rice tees off when she plays.
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There was huge money paid out on Sunday by the members of Augusta National.
Reed pocketed $1,980,000 for that win.
Rickie collected $1,188,000 for not winning.
Jordy’s foul-up at 18 cost him but he still gets $748,000 for solo third.
Jon Rahm’s fourth place finish was worth $528,000.
Chez Reavie finished last and got $26,400.
Even the guys who missed the cut got paid to the tune of $10,000 each. Now you know why Ian Woosnam keeps playing.
12 Comments
FM4GOLF
Tom E. – Really enjoy most of your Dogleg articles. However, I can’t say much politely about your hatchet job on Patrick Reed, the winner of the Masters. The title lacks any serious attempt at professional journalism. Granted he has major family problems and hopefully he will work on that asap. As for former collegiate mates. He beat the UGA kids and led the Augusta St team to titles. His old coach is working with him and made some supportive comments about his past. Above all else, he deserves a chance to repair the family and college relationships. Give him credit for winning some PGA events, some amazing Ryder Cup matches and the Masters Title last weekend. There have been numerous unfriendly and unliked players on the Tour. It’s not politics. And Thank Goodness for that! Frank
Tom Edrington
Frank: Thanks for weighing in, headline was inspired by the lack of enthusiasm by the Masters patrons themselves, who are collectively, golf’s most knowledgeable and polite…..no thunderous greeting, just theatre applause, perhaps fatherhood and winning this will make him more acceptable but remember when he declared himself a “top five” players then proceeded to not win much and went winless all of last year….
baxter cepeda
My family and I got to attend the Masters on Wednesday this year and stuck around the famous Gerogian town till Sunday …just cause. Personally I was rooting for Reid.
My youngest daughter, quite the little golfer, has actually been saying for a long while now how patrick is her favorite player. Fittingly We also met reeds agent in the rainy masters parking lot saturday during a futile attempt to get my kids in.
Sure Patrick made some young man mistakes during his college years. It seems he was going through family problems which affected both his college experiences.
Personally I do not care why Patricks family is not speaking to each other and certainly will not pass judgment on that. Reed has a rough background but, for me at least, his pro career has already been legendary.
From the successful Monday qualifying with his wife on the bag, till donning a green jacket now Reed consistently shows a family first mentality as much as anyone on tour; whether his parents are involved or not.
Reed is a showman. From his top 5 claim to his shushing Euros to his finger wagging Rory, reeds memories give me chills as I write.
He was the most relatable of the guys in contention.
Sure Spieth and Fowler are as polished as they come and I root for both to win green Jackets moving forward but I was not over Reed on sunday. What i least wanted to see sunday was reed lose his lead to all the golden boys.
Certainly did not want reed to lose to the euros: rory, whom i also want to see win one to capture his career grand slam soon; and the still whiney Rahm.
Rahm has a lot to learn from Reed as to how to act. Firey is one thing but and giant crybaby is such a turn off. While I always have rooted for sergio This crybaby issue was the critical fix segio made last year which led to his well supported win at the Masters. Rahm will need to do some similar soul searching before he can become loved as well.
But As a truly close onserver of the tour I feel a responsibility to point out that Patrick Reed shows signs of a man whom has accomplished a lot of personal growth since his college days. This is a man whom deseves to be loved because he is one of the few putting on a show while seriously earning respect and even friendship with the top players in the world, including the golden boys like Jordan and rickie.
While I like the golden boys as much as the next guy No one is supposed to be perfect which often leads me to root for those portraying less than a perfect image without going overboard like I feel Rahm still does. Patrick is right there for me. Just the right amount of less than perfect for me to root for.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, thank-you for a detailed, intelligent post regarding Reed. Seems the majority of the Patrons at Augusta National were not overjoyed with him, first time I’ve seen a winner get only “polite” applause…and the Patrons at Augusta are undoubtedly the most knowledgeable and polite followers in the world of golf. I agree that perhaps this will allow Reed to move forward without such a big chip on his shoulder. Sorry, will disagree about the family issue, first young winner I can remember whose parents weren’t there to greet him. I value family above all else and that tells me a lot about character. Anyway, thanks for your opinion on Patrick, appreciate the time you took to go into detail!
baxter cepeda
I value family a lot.
As someone else mentioned reeds old coach has nice things to say. Top pros have nice things to say. Seeing reed with his wife, kids and Kessler i wonder about his parents behavior in their differences more so than Patricks. As another said if we are all held to our behavior as college freshmen, especially while dealing with family issues, we would all be bad people.
As for Augusta, I can clearly remember some polite applause for other champs, such as when good ol boy Kenny Perry fell to Argentine Angel Cabrera. The not so enthusiastic applause from people inside the ropes That day has stuck with me for years and I did feel it Sunday for Reed once again.
But this lack of affection says less about the players and more about patron etiquette. Even the most knowledgeable golf fans can root for their favorites a little too much at the expense of their competitors.
Support For reed sunday was especially tough dealing with Jordan, rickie and rory. These 3 golden golfers are the type of players whom demand crushes galore, especially from green jackets, naturally making someone like Reed a rooting afterthought.
Augusta does practically everything to perfection but I will say a few green jackets and patrons could better exemplify Mr. Jones’ words on cheering at the Masters. Basically he said to Cheer great golf and shots, to not show dissatisfaction with success from any player or joy for any players misfortunes. Some of these requests are not being fully displayed at times even at the Masters.
It is such a unique dynamic at the Masters because we all know the champions will remain in our lives through this magical annual event; so we want it to be our favirites or the best of the best. This is especially true for the members whom share their club with champions.
We all have preconceived notions as to whom are the most deserving players to have lifetime passes to Augusta National.
But fortunately this is not how it works. Fortunately champions are still found on the field of competition, not with whom has the biggest crowd of autograph seekers or most powerful people trying to become bffs with them.
Patrick reed is a champion and while the headlines want to point out how few fans he has compared to some, im here to say in reality Patrick reed has a ton of knowledgeable golf fans.
and the list is growing just like reeds bank account.
Btw instead of using no equipment contract against him why not celebrate the genious move. It not only won him a masters but now he will be thrown fortunes by the exact sponsors he wants.
While your views on reed are off In your defense you are in the business of click bate.
Tom Edrington
As I indicated in another comment, one of my neighbors, a lovely 80-year-old lady is a huge golf fan, watches all the events on TV and expressed to me how disappointed she was that Patrick Reed won. “I’ve never like him,” she told me. With that in mind, I learned a long time ago to trust the wisdom of grandmothers……So I’m glad you like Reed, feel free to check in here often, we welcome all points of view, if you believe my view of Reed is off, so be it. Maybe winning this championship will lighten that big chip on his shoulder, he’s obviously had an inferiority complex thanks to guys like Spieth and Fowler. Spieth’s resume and Fowler’s popularity. We’ll just agree to disagree about liking Reed. Heck, a lot of people like the Oakland Raiders.
baxter cepeda
You are really on the pulse of the average golf fan with this lady friend of yours. Meanwhile anyone whom has taken the time to adress your Reed hatin’ disagrees.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, let’s get one thing straight right away….I DO NOT “hate” Patrick Reed, that’s your word, not mine, be careful when it comes to putting your words on paper and trying to sell them as someone else’s thoughts, you are dead-wrong…..I’m no admirer of Reed, let’s put it that way, far more accurate….not a “lady friend” an elderly neighbor and she’s been around this earth a lot longer than you my friend….I’ve always trusted the wisdom of age, one day you may learn that. The fact that I point out Reed plays with a huge chip on his shoulder is fact and he would tell you that as well. Your comments were very intelligent until this one.
LEH
Tired of neg comments on Reed. He won the Masters. He’s a tough competitor. He doesn’t deserve the bad press just because he didn’t graduate your charm school.
Tom Edrington
I didn’t realize I had a “charm school.” Biggest testimony as to Reed’s unpopularity was the “polite” almost tempered applause given him by the Masters patrons. That in and of itself could be construed as a major statement, or as you refer to “negative comment” by the thousands there late Sunday.
bwgerho
Good work Patric Reed.
1 An American won a great American event
2 Reed is one bright spot and hope for Ryder Cup performance
3 Reed interacts with fans. He is a showman and acknowledges the fans are there and important.
Now compare Reed and Tiger on points 2 and 3 above. Tiger had great world rankings and great wins but Ryder cup performance fails to match up. Tiger plays for Tiger, not The USA. Also Tiger accepted hundreds of millions of dollars in endorsements- money that fans paid for products- but generally refuses to even look at fans. Bad attitude.
I rooted foe Reed, Fowler, and Spieth- great Masters. Thanks to great players who interact with the fans.
Tom Edrington
Glad Reed has a fan out there……one of my neighbors, an 80-year-old lady was walking the neighborhood today, she’s a big golf fan and expressed to me how disappointed she was that Patrick Reed won….”I’ve never liked him,’ was her quote……I learned a long time ago that you should always listen to the wisdom of grandmothers — they know best!