Patrick Reed has opened up about the emotional toll that bullying and allegations of cheating have had on him over the years. The 35-year-old blames his false “bad-boy” reputation in golf for causing his kids’ bullying at school and his family’s suffering.
Reed Wants Perpetrators To Back Off From His Children
Reed has been no stranger to controversy throughout the course of his career so far. The 2018 Masters Tournament winner has found himself at the center of controversies on multiple occasions due to his on-course behavior and allegations that he has cheated or bent the rules with unsportsmanlike conduct. The American insists those allegations are false and blames his negative portrayal for the bullying his children face.
“My kids have been bullied at school so that’s where it’s uncalled for,” Reed said after the second round of the Asian Tour’s International Series Philippines. “They say a lot of stuff, it’s all false. When they all of a sudden look at your children and say stuff about them, it’s like you don’t even know my children and why would you even bring kids into it? It’s not fun having to deal with some of the stuff that we deal with. The great thing is I have an amazing support team at home and an amazing family.”
Reed Says The Media Has Never Portrayed Him Well
Reed said that despite the negative headlines, those who actually meet him see a different side. “The kind of person I am on and off the golf course hasn’t been portrayed very well in the media throughout my career, but it’s almost impossible to control others,” he said. “Everyone I play pro-ams with and everybody I meet are all like, ‘Man, you’re nothing like what the media portrays you as.’”
The 35-year-old also expressed his disappointment at missing out on a place in the 2025 Ryder Cup team despite finishing third at the Masters and winning LIV Golf Dallas in 2025. Reed insisted he could have made a real impact but admitted he respected the captain’s decision. However, he still felt the U.S. team struggled to match the intensity of the Europeans in this year’s contest.
Keep Reading: Patrick Reed Credits Daughter’s Encouragement for LIV Golf Breakthrough
Reed also revealed that captain Keegan Bradley had kept in touch and informed him of his position before announcing his captain’s picks. Despite the pain of missing out this year, Reed remains hopeful for future Ryder Cups. The American said it would be great to represent his country at Adare Manor in 2027.
Reed will defend his Hong Kong Open title next week after thrilling a record crowd last year with a stunning 59 in the third round.
Main Photo Credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
