"The guy does not stop!" Pro RIPS Patrick Reed after latest rules controversy
DP World Tour pro Matthieu Pavon didn't hold back when he weighed in on the Patrick Reed rules debate at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
DP World Tour pro Matthieu Pavon didn't hold back when he weighed in on the Patrick Reed rules fiasco.
So much so, he questioned whether Reed should've been given the benefit of the doubt at Emirates Golf Club.
In case you haven't heard, Reed was once again at the centre of a heated debate after his golf ball landed in a tree during the third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Related: Patrick Reed "burner" goes after Sir Nick Faldo
We should clarify that Reed's actions were given the green light by officials. But you still couldn't have scripted this moment any better.
Reed got the binoculars out to identify his tee ball and was adamant that he could see the distinctive "arrow" marking on his Titleist ProV1.
As you can imagine, the footage was poured over. Brandel Chamblee of the Golf Channel went on a deep dive about the topic.
Chamblee claimed that in this particular scenario, Reed should've produced a golf ball from his tour bag with exactly the same marking given his history for allegedly cheating.
Reed said he always marks his golf ball the same way.
This is what Pavon, 30, posted:
Wow wrong tree ?! Maybe optical illusion https://t.co/VlCCxZoqsR
— Matthieu Pavon (@mattpavon) January 29, 2023
Fellow French pro golfer Mike Lorenzo-Vera got involved in the comments, writing:
Pavon replied:
Lorenzo-Vera has been strongly opinionated about the LIV Golf League in the past. Last May, he went on an extraordinary rant about the breakaway tour.
Two on-course referees and several marshals were involved in the Reed "treegate" moment.
According to a statement from the DP World Tour, the chief referee was satisfied Reed had correctly identified his golf ball.
Rory on blowing off Patrick Reed:
"I didn't see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently that's what happened. And if roles were reversed and I'd have of thrown that tee at him, I'd be expecting a lawsuit."pic.twitter.com/thXPfvz5Kp— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) January 25, 2023
Rory McIlroy gets the better of Reed...
In the end, McIlroy pipped Reed by one stroke to win the Rolex Series event and get his 2023 off to a winning start.
In a tense final round, McIlroy carded a 68 and closed with two birdies to snatch the victory from Reed.
McIlroy led the field by three strokes overnight but Reed wiped out that advantage in 11 holes to pile the pressure on McIlroy.
The duo's rivalry intensified earlier in the week when he was filmed flicking a LIV-branded 4 Aces GC tee towards McIlroy after being blanked.
McIlroy accused Reed of not living in reality and then Reed hit back by saying the four-time major champion behaved immaturely.
It set the tone for the week. McIlroy was waiting in the group behind when Reed's rules issue happened.
Shall we do this again at Augusta National, anyone?!
Next page: Watch Rory McIlroy's hilarious reaction to Pat Reed question