Patrick Reed is unquestionably the most polarizing member of Team USA at the Presidents Cup and was always going to draw the ire of international fans, but after Reed was caught cheating last weekend at the Hero World Challenge, crowds in Australia have been ruthless.
One fan at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club apparently crossed the line on Saturday, at least according to Reed’s caddie and brother-in-law Kessler Karain. In a statement shared with ESPN, Karain said he got off of a golf cart to confront a fan who had “taken it too far.” The incident occurred after Reed’s morning match, which he lost alongside Webb Simpson. Reed has gone 0-3 at the Presidents Cup, and did not play in the Saturday afternoon session.
Via ESPN:
“We have been known for having fun with some good banter, but after hearing several fans in Australia for 3 days some had taken it too far, I had enough. And this gentleman was one of them. I got off the cart and shoved him, said a couple things, probably a few expletives. Security came and I got back in [the] cart and left. I don’t think there’s one caddie I know that could blame me.”
The PGA Tour later announced that Karain will not be Reed’s caddie for his singles match on Sunday.
Patrick Reed statement regarding his caddie Kessler Karain not being allowed to be in the bag Sunday after getting in altercation with fan: “I respect the tour’s decision. We are all focused on winning the Presidents Cup tomorrow.”
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) December 14, 2019
Reed will face C.T. Pan in singles play, where he has previously excelled at the Ryder Cup.
Patrick Reed’s caddie for Sunday singles will be his swing coach Kevin Kirk, per Golf Channel, after his regular caddie Kessler Karain was banned from being on the bag for getting into an altercation with a fan on Saturday.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) December 14, 2019
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