Patrick Reed called European fans "wittier and kinder" than Americans at hearing

06 April 2023 , 16:21

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Patrick Reed (left) and Rory McIlroy have been on opposing sides of a recent legal battle (Image: AP)

Patrick Reed claimed European golf fans are "wittier and kinder" than Americans in his evidence to the Sports Resolutions case into LIV Golf.

The DP World Tour has today won its legal battle against 12 LIV players - including Reed - who committed "serious breaches" of the Tour's code of behaviour by playing in LIV Golf events without permission. The 2018 Masters champion is an honorary member of the DP World Tour - and the self-styled Captain America for his love of the Ryder Cup.

And Reed often crosses the Atlantic to play events in the UK or the Gulf. He flicked a tee at Rory McIlroy on the driving range at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic before a controversial ruling over his ball in a tree.

But the American gave evidence in person at the Sports Resolution hearing in London in February over the right of the DP World Tour to fine and ban him for playing LIV events. And in the 90-page decision issued today, the judgement said Reed had made an emotional plea to be allowed to keep playing on his “home” tour.

The decision said: "Several of the Appellants nevertheless sought to explain why it was impossible for them to contemplate giving up DPWT membership, for reasons of a sense of belonging, an emotional attachment to their ‘home’ tour, the question of securing OWGR points or the possibility of being considered for the Ryder Cup, and so on.

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“Mr Reed, in elegiac live evidence before us, explained why as an American he had always loved playing on the European Tour, for the different feel of its golf courses and the banter of the spectators, which he found both wittier and kinder than their U.S. equivalents."

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LIV Golf rebel Patrick Reed has praised European fans as "wittier" and "kinder" than their American counterparts (Getty Images)

The 32-year-old has long been considered something of a divisive figure among golf's elite and was once voted 'the most hated man in golf' by the Telegraph. That reputation may go some way to explaining why Reed holds a certain dislike of the supporters in his native America.

Long before he had ever feuded with a figure like McIlroy, the Texan was dogged by rumours of cheating, theft and fallouts with some of his former team-mates in college. Author Shane Ryan wrote in his 2015 book, 'Slaying the Tiger: A Year Inside the Ropes on the New PGA Tour ', of the allegations that had earned Reed undesirable renown at the University of Georgia.

Almost a decade later and the former Augusta star is still striving to find his crowd. However, Thursday's ruling means he may find it more difficult to ensure that's on this side of the pond provided he wants to keep representing the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League.

Neil McLeman