AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The practice is over and the competition is finally underway at the Masters.
One of those competitors comes with a little controversy. Defending champion Patrick Reed. Not exactly the most popular person to ever put on a green jacket.
Say the name Patrick Reed and the reactions run the gammut.
Some people are for him.
“He’s his own unique man. I think he lives his life the way he wants to live his life.”
Some are against him.
“Based on everyone else’s assumptions, I don’t like him.”
And some are for and against him.
“Would I want him to win again this year? No. However, at the time he won last year, I was like, oh, okay, cool.”
Most of Patrick’s p.r. problems stem from stories. Reports about troubles with his college teammates, taunting fans and criticizing his Ryder Cup captain.
Perception becomes reality and Reed’s green jacket comes with a black cloud.
“Based on media, everyone hates him.”
And if you ask Patrick Reed if he cares whether people like him or not, he’ll tell you he just hopes people appreciate the fact that he’s good at this game.
“A lot of the fans, they respect great golf and they want to see great golf,” says Reed. “It all depends on how you handle yourself and the more interactive you are with the fans, the more they are going to respect you.”
People have compared a Masters visit to a religious experience. Some call this the cathedral of golf. Sacred ground. Maybe forgiveness and redemption await Patrick Reed here. Maybe the start of the tournament signals the start of his second chance.
“At the end of the day, the more fans and people get to know you, the more they realize that you’re just a normal guy out there playing golf and you’re just doing your profession,” says Reed.
And doing his profession means going for back to back green jackets. Something that hasn’t been done here since Tiger did it 17 years ago.
