Patrick Reed to play in Franklin Templeton Shootout after wife improves from seizure

Patrick Reed told Golf Channel Wednesday that he planned to play in the Franklin Templeton Shootout this week because the condition of his wife, Justine, had improved significantly after she suffered a grand mal seizure on Tuesday.

Justine Reed, who has caddied for her PGA Tour-playing husband and planned to do so this week in Naples, had the seizure while taking a bath at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, the site of this week’s event. Patrick Reed withdrew from the pro-am on Wednesday to be with his wife. Reed told Tim Rosaforte of Golf Channel he heard a “thump” from the bathroom and found her completely submerged in water.

Reed said he did not know CPR but performed the Heimlich maneuver on his wife, she began breathing again, according to Rosaforte. Doctors also told Reed that had another 10 or 15 seconds elapsed, he “would have lost her,” Rosaforte said.

“I withdrew from today’s pro-am to be with my wife, Justine, who suffered a grand mal seizure [Tuesday] afternoon while in the bathtub,” Reed said in a statement. “We are really fortunate that she is OK and lucky that I was in the room with her to save her from drowning. I am so grateful to the paramedic team, IMG and the doctors at Naples Community Hospital for their support and care during an extremely difficult time.”

Reed, fresh from a T-3 finish at Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge after filling in for Jim Furyk, will team with Brandt Snedeker in the tourney as a replacement for Chris Kirk, who withdrew with a wrist injury.

Justine Reed, who gave birth in May to the couple’s first child, will likely return to the resort in another day or two, according to Rosaforte. She reportedly urged her husband to play and, since her condition had improved so markedly, he told Rosaforte he wanted to fulfill his obligation.