“PRO” FILES – Touring Professional Patrick Reed

With one gesture, Patrick Reed is sure to be a Ryder Cup villain to the European fans for years to come. The American player is not shy about letting people know how good he is, nor is he afraid of riling up a crowd. Reed attended Augusta State University (now Georgia Regents University Augusta), leading his team to two consecutive NCAA Division I national championships. He originally attended the University of Georgia but transferred out after his freshman year, kicked off the team for an underage drinking arrest, among other things. When he matriculated at Augusta State, his brash style didn’t mesh with his teammates, but he gradually earned their admiration for his stellar play and growing maturity. His first professional victory came in Tobago in 2012 at a pro-am in which several USGTF members participated, and they noticed Reed had no compunction in telling people that he was a great player. He eventually qualified for the PGA Tour and has won three events to date. Oh, and that Ryder Cup gesture? After a fan on the first tee heckled Reed about a missed putt the day before, Reed later made a birdie putt on the 7th hole to halve with Henrik Stenson. Reed immediately put a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture to taunt the fans…and predictably drew loud boos. Patrick Reed is a confident young player who rubs some people the wrong way, but his impact is sure to be felt for years to come.