Patrick Reed didn't cheat but has created a label for himself, says Graeme McDowell

Major winner Graeme McDowell says Patrick Reed has created a “label for himself” but doesn’t believe he was guilty of cheating in his latest rules controversy.
Graeme McDowell during a press conference ahead of his title defence in the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.Graeme McDowell during a press conference ahead of his title defence in the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.
Graeme McDowell during a press conference ahead of his title defence in the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Reed was awarded a free drop from an embedded lie in the rough at the tenth hole at Torrey Pines in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday.

The American later described his decision to pick up the ball before a rules official arrived on the scene as a “textbook” call due to believing it did not bounce before settling in the rough.

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Television pictures showed that it had bounced out of its initial plug mark, resulting in Reed being widely criticised on social media, and not for the first time in his career, over a rules issue.

In the Hero World Challenge in December 2019, the former Masters champion was penalised two shots for appearing to intentionally improve his lie in a sand waste area.

Fellow American Xander Schauffele didn’t hold back when asked about Reed’s latest incident, saying: “Obviously the talk amongst the boys isn’t great, I guess, but he’s protected by the (PGA) Tour and that’s all that matters, I guess.”

McDowell was asked if there had been similar talk among players on the European Tour over the past few days as he prepared to defend the Saudi International title this week.

“I mean, obviously difficult to comment. I wasn't there and I wasn't playing with him,” said the 2010 US Open champion. “I saw a little bit of footage. I felt like he did things okay.

“I felt like he pretty much went about the procedure the way you're supposed to. You know, unfortunately, he's created a name for himself which attracts a huge amount of attention when he does things.

“I like Patrick. I think he's a good kid. I think he's a great player. I feel bad that he has created the label for himself that he has because I think he's such a talented player, you know. So I hope we can move on from it and see him for the player he is.

“Of course, we need to protect the fields. There is no place in the game of golf for cheating. I hate the word. Did Patrick Reed cheat last week? No, I don't think he did. I don't think he knowingly did something that didn't protect the rest of the field.

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“We've spoken a little bit about it. People have their opinions. I'm in the camp that I didn't see a whole lot wrong with what he did last week at all. It's a tough one.

“I hope we can continue to talk about his golf rather than the other stuff that he's unfortunately being talked about for.”

McDowell broke back into the world’s top 50 with his victory at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City 12 months ago, but returns to the Red Sea coast in 91st spot.

“It was a nice victory at the time,” he recalled. “But that three, four-month break broke (due to Covid-19) my momentum a little bit, and I didn't respond well when we came back in the summer.

“I would love to get some of that momentum back again this week. That would be really, really awesome.”

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