Tiger Woods defends ‘great kid’ Reed
US captain Tiger Woods defended Presidents Cup teammate Patrick Reed as “a great kid” Tuesday after he was penalized for breaking the rules in the Bahamas, while attempting to draw a line under the controversy.
Former US Masters champion Reed was given a two-shot penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker during the third round of the Hero World Challenge on Friday.
His actions were blasted by two of the International side preparing to face the Woods-led United States in the team match play showdown at Royal Melbourne this week, potentially opening the door for some barracking by Australian fans.
Cameron Smith told reporters at the weekend he had “no sympathy for anyone that cheats” while Marc Leishman called his behavior “pretty ordinary”.
Woods was keen to move on from the row when pressed in Melbourne, admitting the two discussed the matter on the long plane trip to Australia from the Bahamas but now over.
“It was not a lengthy conversation. Pat and I are very good friends. We kept it short and brief, to the point,” said Woods, who is the first playing captain at the Presidents Cup since American Hale Irwin in 1994.
“The rules official gave him two shots. He finished at 16- under, two back of Henrik ( Stenson), and now we’re on to this week.”
Reed acknowledged that he moved sand with both practice swings and therefore violated the rules, but denied Tuesday he was a cheat.
“It’s not the right word to use,” he said.
“At the end of the day, if you do something unintentionally that breaks the rules, it’s not considered cheating and at the end of the day that’s what it is.” Despite the prospect of volatile reception in Melbourne, Woods insisted Reed would be “fine” when the tournament begins on
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