LIV Golf's Patrick Reed 'threw tee at Rory McIlroy' in ugly spat

24 January 2023 , 18:06

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Patrick Reed (left) and Rory McIlroy were involved in a verbal spat last year which looks to have continued (Image: AP)

The war between players in the PGA Tour and the rebel LIV Golf series looks set to continue during 2023 after Patrick Reed allegedly threw a tee' at rival Rory McIlroy in Dubai.

Former Masters winner Reed ditched the PGA Tour last year, earning millions by signing for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. However, with the rebel tour yet to receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, Reed has continued to play in DP World Tour events resulting in flashpoints between the American and his PGA Tour counterparts.

The Irish Independent have reported that the latest incident happened after McIlroy failed to acknowledge his rival ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai - which starts on Thursday.

It has been reported that ahead of the DP World Tour event McIlroy was practicing and was at the time on his hunkers at the time, looking at the ground. Reed stood near the world No.1 intending to say hello but the Northern Irish player 'did not even turn his head towards him'.

Reed then tried to salute McIlroy but again got no response from the PGA Tour star. Giving up on his attempt to be pleasant the American reportedly walked away in disgust and then took a tee out of his pocket throwing it in McIlroy’s direction.

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Patrick Reed competing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last weekend (Getty Images)

Despite being suspended from playing in PGA Tour events LIV Golf rebels, including Reed, can play in DP World Tour events ahead of an arbitration case in the UK next month which will decide if the Tour can suspend the rebels.

Last year Reed hit out at McIlroy who has spoken strongly against the rebels and their participation in Tour events. McIlroy admitted that he felt LIV Golf members should not have been allowed to compete in last September's BMW PGA Championship.

Also poking fun at the shortened format of the LIV Golf events, McIlroy said: "They shouldn’t be here, but again that’s just my opinion. But we are all going to tee it up on the first tee and we are all going to go play 72 holes, which is a novelty for them at this point, and then we’ll go from there.”

Rory McIlroy smiles during a practice round ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Getty Images)

Was Rory McIlroy right to ignore Patrick Reed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section

McIlroy was supported in his criticism by fellow PGA Tour member Billy Horschel leaving Reed - who has won three DP World Tour events - less than impressed.

"I feel like [Rory] making those types of comments is insulting," Reed told . "Let’s be honest, I’ve [played the DP World Tour] more consistently than some of the Europeans on the PGA Tour, so for them to take shots at other guys, especially Billy and Rory taking shots at the LIV guys saying they shouldn’t be here."

Benjamin Goddard