Patrick Reed is at Valhalla along with his wife, Justine Karain. The LIV Golf Pro was scouting the greens and playing practice rounds, while Justine was seen taking notes. Justine has previously served on the bag for his husband. Although her brother took over that charge in 2014, the Augusta State alum is a steady companion for her husband. 

The two met at the University of Georgia by chance and got married in 2012. The former soccer player has been a constant presence since. Netizens, however, would like to see that change. The couple has been at the epicenter of controversy a number of times, with Reed’s mother accusing Justine of pulling the strings to oust her from the course a few years ago. 

Most recently, the LIV Golfer’s defamation lawsuit against a group of journalists backfired as the court ordered him to pay an attorney’s fee under anti-SLAPP law, which discourages people from using the legal system to browbeat critics. The backlash on the internet on a few snippets from Valhalla shows the current animosity runs strong. Be it brash comments or a slew of cursings on the course, Reed has faced backlash since his rookie year on the Tour.

Even before teeing up in a major, Reed claimed he was one of the five best golfers in the world at that time. Coupled with his estranged relationship with family and his wife’s presence, the pictures dropped like molotov cocktails on the internet. 

Netizens take jabs at Patrick Reed on social media

Reportedly, Reed’s early marriage at 22 was the reason behind his estrangement from his family. When his parents opposed their early marriage, Reed cut off all communication with them, per Golf.com. In fact, Reed’s parents and sisters were escorted out of Pinehurst No. 2 six years ago while following the former PGA Tour Pro. Jeannette, his mother, later said that was in the direction of Justine. 

None of that sat well with fans. And it was evident from the comments. Recounting a personal experience, one fan wrote, “I called Patrick a cheater behind number 7 green in ‘21 at Kaiwah (Kiawah, the venue of 2021 PGA Championship) -unbeknownst to me, his wife was standing next to me and she tried to have me removed. Another tour wife close by called her “Cersei” and told her to get a grip, to which she stormed off. She’s…extremely sure of herself. And not well liked.” Another person commented, “I like Patrick Reed, but his wife’s gotta go.” A third person wrote, “Why did he bring a scarecrow in sunglasses?”

Some fans dug up matters from Reed’s college days. Reportedly, the 33-year-old signed lower than he scored several times. Reed, allegedly, also hit a ball lying in a better position, which in fact was not his. Many believe this is why Reed was let go of the Georgia team. And, the problems arose again at Augusta State University, too. The LIV Golfer, though, cited underage drinking as the reason. Interestingly, Reed mentioned in the lawsuit that he had been targeted since the age of 23, and the negative coverage impacted his livelihood. 

Regardless, some fans thrashed the couple, claiming they were finding ways to cheat on the greens. “How can I cheat…,” one fan wrote that’s what the coupe has been thinking. Another wrote, “Pay close attention to that guy. He cheats.” Another fan had enough of it. “Yeah lets stop with the Patrick reed content. ruined my day.”.

Reed has two top-tens, including a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship. The nine-time PGA Tour winner settled for 58, the last time the PGA Championship was played in Valhalla. Reed has one top-10 in LIV Golf this season. And his best show outside the Saudi-backed side has come at the Asian Tour International Series Macau, where he bagged a solo fourth.