sport news Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed spat explained as golf's civil war explodes trends now
A tee casually flicked after Happy New Year greetings were snubbed. A subpoena served on Christmas Eve. A war of words featuring an 'immature little child' jibe.
Golf's storm in a tee-cup between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed escalated very quickly on Wednesday as these two world-class golfers traded barbs before the American then made light of it, saying it has been turned into an 'assassination'.
But it's all part of the wider, fractured landscape within a sport that appears to be tearing itself apart. What on earth is going on?
The row between top golfers Patrick Reed (left) and Rory McIlroy (right) over a 'thrown' tee exploded on Wednesday as the pair traded barbs
A player throwing a tee at another player? That could be dangerous…
Well, when reports first emerged that Reed had 'thrown' a tee at McIlroy on the driving range at the Dubai Desert Classic earlier this week, we assumed golf's rumbling civil war had exploded into a flashpoint.
American Reed, 32, a former winner of the US Masters, joined the rebel LIV Golf tour last year and had perhaps taken exception to something McIlroy, 33 - the four-time Major winner from Northern Ireland and current world No 1 - had said or done.
After all, McIlroy has been one of the staunchest critics of the LIV breakaway, turning down the offer of a multi-million dollar contract, and has remained loyal to the United States-based PGA Tour.
Last August, McIlroy said: 'I hate what it [LIV] is doing to the game of golf. I hate it, I really do.'
However, LIV, which is financed by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, offered enormous sums of money that proved too tempting for stars like Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
They all broke away to play in the new tour, causing an enormous fracture within this usually genteel sport.
Reed was among a number of leading golfers who defected to the rebel LIV series in 2022
McIlroy has remained loyal to the PGA Tour and has been an outspoken critic of the LIV series
So this flashpoint wasn't quite as dramatic as all that?
Not exactly. On Wednesday, footage emerged of the moment in question and it's fair to say 'throw' was swiftly downgraded to 'flick'.
Also, 'at McIlroy' could be more accurately described as 'in the general direction of McIlroy and his team.'
The 12-second clip showed Reed walk up to McIlroy on the driving range at the Emirates Golf Club, where he was working with his coach Michael Bannon and caddie Harry Diamond.
Footage shows Patrick Reed (second right) approaching Rory McIlroy (left) in Dubai as the Northern Irishman stands with caddie Harry Diamond (second left) and coach Michael Bannon
After McIlroy ignores the American, Reed turns back to throw one of his tees at the world No 1
Reed approached Diamond and shook his hand. McIlroy, meanwhile, was kneeling by his Trackman [a golf shot-measuring device], and didn't really look up to acknowledge Reed. It's impossible to know precisely what, if anything, was said.
Reed seems to linger for a second to see if McIlroy is going to respond, before turning away. He then pulls what we now know to be a tee from his pocket and kind of casually tosses it to the ground close to where McIlroy is crouching.
The American glances back as he walks away to gauge if there's going to be any reaction, but McIlroy either doses't notice or doesn't rise to it.
Anyway, nobody got hurt!
Reed is part of the 4 Aces team in the LIV Golf series and his tee featured their logo
So, why all the fuss?
Most of the fireworks around the 'incident' came in the players' press conferences.
On Wednesday, McIlroy took his turn to face the media. The story had come out by this point and, naturally, he was questioned about it.
Initially, when McIlroy was asked what had happened with Reed, he tried to dismiss it, saying 'nothing.'
After all, quite a few players don't want to be disturbed while they're preparing to practise. Others don't mind a natter with fellow pros on the course.
But he continued: 'Patrick came up to say hello and I didn't really want him to. From my recollection, that was it. I didn't see a tee, I didn't feel a tee.
'Obviously, someone else saw that. But it's definitely a storm in a teacup. I can't believe it's actually turned into a story. Yeah, it's nothing.'
McIlroy plays a shot on the 18th hole at the Emirates Golf Club in front of the Dubai skyline
Storm in a tee-cup… very witty
That could have been the end of it. After all, him and Reed have enjoyed some epic battles down the years, including on the Sunday at the 2016 Ryder Cup, when Reed's final hole birdie saw him snatch victory.
And, as was pointed out, McIlroy has actually defended Reed over various controversies in the past.
Reed, pictured winning the Masters in 2018, has had a compelling rivalry with McIlroy
The American also got the better of McIlroy during a fiery singles match at the 2016 Ryder Cup
But in this tense post-LIV landscape, McIlroy couldn't resist going on.
'Yeah, I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So, of course, I'm trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you're not going to take that well.
'So again, I'm living
