Patrick Reed is accused by a large number of golf fans on social media of ‘cheating’ during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines after a controversial ruling in the innings on the par-4 10th hole.
Reed sends his shot into the highway bunker and then hits his second shot into the deep, rugged left side of the green, where the controversy began.
Here’s the full Patrick Reed track for people who haven’t seen it yet. Is this a fair decision? pic.twitter.com/isvJ2umVvX
– GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) 30 January 2021
Patrick Reed with a VERY shady statement here. Allegedly the ball was embedded in the rough after he had not bounced beforehand (it did) and picked up the ball before talking to a legal officer. Here is the conference with the official pic.twitter.com/pJn4Kb7I3Y
– GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) 30 January 2021
The American got his ball up and continued to move it after considering that the ball was ’embedded in the lawn’ – and consequently he was entitled to a free fall for an embedded ball.
On a video replay of the shot, however, it was clear that Reed’s ball took one bounce before diving into the rough dive. WATCH the videos above to give your own thoughts; you can also hear the conversation between Reed and the legal officer.
“I checked it and I believe it broke ground,” Reed said when PGA Tour official Brad Fabel spoke to the American.
“Since I picked it up to look at, it looked like it had broken ground. They said it was not bouncing.”
Fabel came to see where the ball had penetrated the lawn and considered it embedded. He said he could feel a ‘lip’ to where the ball had penetrated the ground. Reed replied, “I thought so, but I just wanted to double check.”
The former Masters champion was then told he could take one club length from where the ball went into the lawn, and he was able to clear his ball and drop it for free.
RELATED: BUY PATRICK REED’S NEW G / FORE APPAREL
Reed will then pitch his ball on the green to about 25 feet, and go the point for the par.
Rule official Ken Tackett later explained during the CBS broadcast that because the PGA Tour rules established OfficialFabel that Reed’s ball was embedded in the ground at ten, it does not matter that the ball was embedded on the second bounce.
If a ball is thrown into the ground, a player receives a free fall under Rule 16 of the Golf Rules.
Despite not getting a fine, many golf fans on social media seemed to get away with the verdict more. Here are some tweets after the controversial incident.
Sorry to say this, but he cheats again. Picked up his ball before the linebacker came over, plus the cameras caught the ball bouncing before resting, so it could not be a jam-packed ball #cheatinggolfer
– Colin Jones (@ Firegadgy999) 30 January 2021
I have never in my life moved my ball before the rule officer came to determine if it broke ground …
– Marina Alex (@Marina_Deee) 30 January 2021
Reed leaves Torrey before the interviews today. pic.twitter.com/2s6tm05CiM
– Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) 30 January 2021
If Patrick Reed can get away with it on the PGA Tour, just think about what goes on at your clubs every month
– Gerard Stewart (@Gerard_stewart) 30 January 2021
1. He should not have picked it up before an official was there
2 he ‘maybe’ did not see it reflected from where he was, but
Do not pick it up 100%, wait! Let’s be honest, golf is not a fast game, but 2 minutes extra? Or was it not plugged in and just a garbage lying ??– Daniel Digby (@Dan_Digby) 30 January 2021
Reed cheated again. Patrick Reed’s ball is by no means embedded in the SECOND BOON! #pgatour how can they allow this to happen.
– Torgeir Jørgensen (@Villsvinet) 30 January 2021
Did we think that Patrick Reed might not KNOW the rules of golf? This is the only explanation that makes sense. Man just out there and get it right
– Amanda Coleman (@ Ama_Cole589) 30 January 2021
Patrick Reed loves golf fans again!
– Murray Conallin (@MConallin) 30 January 2021
When’s Patrick Reed going to finish fraud? It’s bright as day. @PGATOUR @Darth_Monty
– Kieran Donnellan (@ Donnellan5) 30 January 2021
I hate Patrick reeds so much. Guy is a cheater who’s always been #patrickreed
– Big D (@Dr_DGritz) 30 January 2021
Patrick Reed is so sketchy.
– Mac (@DubLifeMac) 30 January 2021
Reed said earlier when it comes to a controversial ruling on the track, no more than he apparently improved his lie in the sand at the Hero World Challenge in December 2019 – LOOK HERE.