{{ubiquityData.prevArticle.description}}
{{ubiquityData.nextArticle.description}}
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA | If Patrick Reed was guilty of anything on the 10th hole of his third round in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, it was guilt by association.
To himself.
To his past.
To his reputation.
Reed was exonerated Saturday by his playing partners and multiple PGA Tour officials, who said Reed did not violate the rules when he took relief from what he said was an embedded ball, unaware the ball had bounced before settling where it did.
In fact the PGA Tour doubled down on Sunday, saying Reed was within the rules with his controversial action in the third round.
That should have ended the issue.
But, because it’s Reed and he is shadowed by how he handled a rules violation in the Bahamas in late 2019 and allegations of circumspect actions as a college golfer, a storm erupted on an otherwise sunny southern California day and it spilled into Sunday while Reed was winning his ninth PGA Tour title.
When Rory McIlroy took a similar drop on the 18th hole later Saturday afternoon, it would have gone unnoticed were it not for the tempest that had kicked up surrounding Reed’s actions. McIlroy didn’t even feel the need to call in a rules official to give himself relief, though video replay appeared to show his ball had also bounced upon landing.
The PGA Tour released a statement Sunday saying Reed and McIlroy faced “virtually the same situation” and both players “took proper relief.”
Reed, however, doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt that McIlroy and other players receive. That was obvious from the instant he marked his ball in the rough near the 10th green.
Did Reed cheat?
I don’t think so.
Could he have handled the situation better, such as calling for an official before picking up his golf ball?
We wouldn’t be where we are if he’d done that but, according to the people who administer the rules, Reed wasn’t required to do that. Players would be wise to call in a rules official every time they’re going to touch their golf ball unless they’re marking it on the green.
It’s easy to say the players on the PGA Tour don’t like Patrick Reed. That’s not true.
It was a moment made for social media and that’s not a compliment – to social media. It provoked a feeding frenzy among golf’s twitterverse, which – like most other social media subcultures – revels in trying to be clever, loud and certain.
The essence of the social messaging was this: There he goes again.
That’s what Reed is up against. That’s not to suggest he is a sympathetic victim. He could hardly have handled the incident in the Bahamas worse. He’s good at many things but contrition is not at the top of the list.
There is a deep personal backstory to Reed that he has chosen not to share. That’s his prerogative.
He would, however, have been wise years ago to fully address the stories told about him when he played college golf at Georgia.
If they were false, tell us why they’re out there. If they were true, the world has a way of going easier on people who own their mistakes, particularly those made growing up. Admit you screwed up, you’re not proud of what you did and vow to be better.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens might be in the Baseball Hall of Fame today had they done that.
Reed didn’t help himself when he publicly complained about his pairings at the Ryder Cup in Paris, unloading after the event when the American team was dealing with another loss. The incident in the Bahamas led to his being taunted by fans in Australia at the Presidents Cup the next week after reports that some U.S. players hadn’t wanted him on the team.
Many may shake their heads at times about things he has said or done but there are plenty who like Reed. He tends to operate in his own small circle like most tour players do but he’s not a pariah.
He’s personable and willing to talk. After the event in the Bahamas and after what happened Saturday at Torrey Pines, Reed took every question thrown his way. Not every player would have done that.
Asked if he feels he’s under more scrutiny than other players, Reed said, “Definitely.”
He’s right.
Last week at Torrey Pines proved it.
In his new novel, The Law of Innocence, author Michael Connelly spins the story around the difference between being declared not guilty of a crime and being declared innocent.
“No one is ever found innocent in a court of law,” the lead character says. “The justice system can only deliver a verdict of guilty or not guilty.”
That’s what Reed finds himself up against. Even that is a gray area. Reed can justifiably say he is innocent and point to the tour’s statement. Others will argue the charge couldn’t be proven.
Centuries ago, an English philosopher named Joseph Hall wrote, “A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.”
Fairly or not, Patrick Reed was reminded of that again at Torrey Pines.
E-Mail Ron