The DP World Tour has been compelled to factor a remark clarifying a laws state of affairs involving Patrick Reed after the American’s propensity to courtroom controversy once more was obvious on the Dubai Desert Classic.
Reed took a penalty drop at the seventeenth hollow of his 3rd spherical after figuring out his ball through particular markings when lodged up a tree. Without that identity, Reed would have had to go back to the tee to play his 3rd shot. Social media burst into existence when video pictures emerged which seemed to display Reed’s ball touchdown in a special tree to the only he took the drop beside.
Reed stated after his spherical that he was once “100%” positive he had observed his personal ball, with the help of binoculars. “I would have gone back to the tee if I was not 100%.” He escaped with a bogey 5 en path to a 69 which helps to keep him in event competition.
Interestingly, the Tour didn’t deny Reed will have dropped from the mistaken tree however appeared to think accountability for that risk. A remark explaining the method learn: “Two on-course referees and a number of other marshals recognized that Patrick Reed’s ball had transform lodged in a selected tree following his tee shot on 17.
“The DP World Tour leader referee joined the participant within the space and requested him to spot his unique ball markings. Using binoculars, the executive referee was once glad {that a} ball with the ones markings was once lodged within the tree.
“The participant due to this fact took an unplayable penalty drop (Rule 19.2c) on the level immediately underneath the ball at the flooring. To explain, the participant was once no longer requested to specify the tree however to spot his unique ball markings to verify it was once his ball.”
A further layer of complexity was added by the fact umpteen golf balls sat in the branches of the tree being inspected. Reed has created headlines since the start of the Desert Classic week after his driving range brush with Rory McIlroy, who quickly became known as Teegate. Reed, a player on the Rebel LIV circuit, has donned that tour’s branding in Dubai.
As this drama unfolded, it was easy to forget McIlroy had surged into a three shot lead. McIlroy’s 65 featured just one scorecard blemish after he horribly miscued his second to the 18th into a pond.
McIlroy has reached 15 under par as he aims to start 2023 with a win. Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are his closest challengers. Ian Poulter and Richard Bland are among those who have Reed for company at minus 11. Should Reed overhaul McIlroy, the 17th hole in round three is certain to become a talking point.
“It’s a good chance,” McIlroy said. “First week back out, have a chance to win, it’s sort of what I wanted to do coming here. I think tomorrow will really show me where my game is, in the final group playing with a chance to win a golf tournament. I’m excited to see what happens.”