Reed Makes His Presence Felt In Manila & Then Hits Out At His Kids ‘Bullied’ In School

3 hours ago by 0

Masters winning Patrick Reed made his presence felt with a superb second round at the International Series Philippines and no sooner fired both barrels those who bully his children back home in his beloved Texas.

Reed signed for a second round 66 to move to eight-under and a share of ninth place in the $2m event being staged just to the south of the capital Manila.

The 2018 Augusta winner finds himself just six shots from the lead and also a week out from the defence of next week’s Trip Hong Kong Open title.

And while delighted with his effort, Reed sounded less impressed when he spoke to the media and opened-up on the sad manner his two children are treated at school.

“My kids have been bullied at school so that’s where it’s uncalled for,” he said.

The American said it was one thing for people to call him names, but he wants his detractors to back off from his children — 11-year-old daughter Windsor-Wells and eight-year-old son Barrett Benjamin.

“They say a lot of stuff, it’s all false,” said the 2018 US Masters champion about recurring allegations he has cheated or bent the rules with unsportsmanlike behaviour.

“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.”

The 35-year-old might not win any popularity contests back home, but he is well liked in Asia, where he is playing in the Philippines for the first time and gaining a new set of fans.

Reed, as has always been his good nature, has again beein busy in taking time to sign autographs and smile for selfies at the Sta. Elena Golf Club this week.

Two weeks ago he was competing in Scotland and next week Reed will head north of Hong Kong to defend his Link Hong Kong Open title after the brilliance of a year ago when he posted a third round 59.

Though he was also asked after his Manila second round if he can mend his ‘reputation’ competing on the opposite side of the world from his beloved United States.

“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.

“All you can do is control yourself, so I feel like I’m doing everything the right way, living the right way.

“Everyone I play pro-ams with and everybody I meet, they’re all like: ‘Man, you’re nothing like what the media portrays you as’.

“So as long as that just continues happening, at some point it will turn around.”

Of course, those speaking wiht Reed could not let head to the clubhouse without bringing up his disappointment in missing out on a captain’s pick this year for the US team beaten at Bethpage, despite his strong third place finish at the US Masters and later this year capturing the LIV Dallas title in Dallas.

AFP wrote that, despite his disappointment, USA captain Keegan Bradley had kept in touch and let him know where he stood, “which was nice”.

“You’re always disappointed when you don’t make those teams, it means so much to me to represent my country,” said Reed.

“It definitely hurts and I definitely feel like I could have been a huge asset to the team, especially at a place I won before.

“That was his decision, but I feel like he tried to put out the best team he could.”

Reed doesn’t think even Captain America at his best could have made much difference against an inspired Europe side.

“Through the first two days I don’t really care what team he threw out there, I don’t think we’d be able to hang with the way the Euros played,” said Reed.

“From top to bottom on Friday and Saturday it was just unreal.”

And in conclusion, it comes as no surprise when Reed was asked his thoughts of making the 2027 USA Team in two year times for the journey to Adare Manor in Ireland.

“That would be great, yeah,” he said. “I love playing, especially on foreign soil.

“It’s always kind of good to go over there and be the guy that’s a thorn in their side.”

Well said and well spoken Patrick.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *