Even before we got going at the Dubai Desert Classic, there has plenty of dialogue and controversy already. The situation involving Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, two golfers at different ends of the spectrum of PGA vs LIV, has made headlines across all media outlets. And surprisingly, the talk doesn’t seem to stop as the pair stand at each other’s throats after the end of the first day’s play. Amongst all the drama, what are fans saying regarding the incident?
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed’s ‘tee throwing’ controversy
The news tabloids got to work after a video emerged featuring Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed on the practice range. In the brief clip, Reed is seen shaking hands with the World No. one’s caddie, Harry Diamond. He proceeds to shake a squatted McIlroy’s hands but gets completely ignored.
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After some awkward seconds, the LIV defector walks away, but not before throwing one of his golf tees toward McIlroy. The incident caused an uproar, with each passing day adding more fuel.
Press conferences on each day by both golfers didn’t help as well. But on a rain-delayed Thursday, Reed and McIlroy were among a few golfers who could finish their day’s play. As it happened, both shot 6-under par to remain level with each other.
Well this looks awkward… pic.twitter.com/afIGOhcUE9
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) January 27, 2023
At the end of the day, the pair was captured in proximity while doing their interviews. The picture was posted on Golf Monthly’s Twitter account, with the caption, “Well this looks awkward…” Fans were quick to react to the tweet and made sure their opinions were heard. Here’s a selection of those tweets.
It will only effect McIlroy
— Chris (@Chris59778879) January 27, 2023
Golf media making mountains out of molehills.
— The Easy Par (@TheEasyPar) January 27, 2023
I always believed that golf was a gentlemen game! Too bad Rory forgot that! 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
— Pierre Vincent (@PierreV62811380) January 27, 2023
I always believed that golf was a gentlemen game! Too bad Rory forgot that! 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
— Pierre Vincent (@PierreV62811380) January 27, 2023
Golf media is morphing into a soap opera 🤦♂️
— Steve (@Golfstee) January 27, 2023
Only in the golf media's tiny minds …
— John Conrad (@jerichsen66) January 27, 2023
I'd almost pay money to follow these two around. Now, after all the hype, how much you wanna bet the both act professional and get the job done.
— M3Prez (@M3Prez) January 27, 2023
"No, YOU'RE short and stout"
— Harry Lang (@MrHarryLang) January 27, 2023
I’m sorry but Rory is such a crybaby, Reed no saint either
— Eddie Welch (@EddietheEagle21) January 27, 2023
What will they do now when they might be paired together in the third round?
— Jacque Hamilton (@Jacquegems) January 27, 2023
I hope Reed wins and kicks McElroys ass
— NoName Man (@LEVarmint) January 27, 2023
What was said regarding the tee-tossing incident?
As it happened, McIlroy couldn’t resist churning up a few words in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. While he mentioned all was well between the two, the four-time major championship winner said, “If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”
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On the other hand, Reed believed his LIV connections to be the reason for McIlroy’s cold shoulder. He revealed the Brit “was messing with his Trackman and kind of decided to ignore us. We all know where it came from — being part of LIV.”
Golf finally took the center stage though, with a closely fought battle in the rain-delayed event seeming a real possibility. But McIlroy couldn’t help but produce a cheeky moment in the end. “We can go on until Tuesday next week if we have to,” he smiled before adding, “I’m a fan of 72-hole golf, as you know.”
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