Patrick Reed has a PGA Tour fine and/or suspension coming his way, although we may never know for how much or how long. Playing in the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, Reed fired off several audible expletives, including a gay slur. After missing a putt on the first green at Sheshan International, Reed muttered “Nice f--king three-putt, you f--king f----t.”
Patrick Reed uses gay slur after missing putt at WGC-HSBC Champions
Keeping in line with their policy of not disclosing fines or suspensions, the PGA Tour issues a weak and opaque statement after one of its top young players uses a gay slur during the broadcast from Shanghai.
Andrew Redington
Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo immediately apologized for the language, which could be heard loud and clear on the broadcast.
Deadspin first picked up the outburst and posted it late Wednesday night, and the PGA Tour followed with a statement Thursday morning.
“The PGA Tour Conduct Unbecoming regulations prohibit the use of obscene language on the golf course. The PGA Tour will deal with this matter internally in accordance with its regulations.”
You would expect a more strongly-worded rebuke of the use of a gay slur on a PGA Tour broadcast. But that’s all you get with Tour’s embarrassing non-transparent policy of keeping all fines and suspensions secret. If he’s suspended, it won’t be announced and we’ll probably never know. A fine is certain, but it’s unlikely we will learn the amount.
Golf broadcasts often pick up players cursing at themselves, most notably Tiger Woods. But the use of a gay slur is obviously an entirely different and unacceptable offense. Reed tweeted an apology on Thursday morning.
I'm sorry for using offensive language today in China. My passion to play well got the best of me and my word choice was unacceptable.
— Patrick Reed (@PReedGolf) November 6, 2014 After turning off golf fans last March with his “Top 5” comments upon winning at Doral, Reed had won over, or won back, many with his Ryder Cup performance in September. He was America’s best player, and his attitude, including a “shushing” of the European crowd, fired up his team and USA fans to get back on board and support the temperamental Reed. This language negates that, and should cause irreparable harm.
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