Rory McIlroy appeared to disregard Patrick Reed efforts to say hello on Tuesday at the Emirates Golf Club which left him irate, as seen in a video of him throwing a tee at the world number one
Watch the video below.
The former Masters’ winner saluted McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond without incident. Although he has switched to LIV Golf, he will continue to compete in DP World Tour events until the outcome of an arbitration hearing in the UK in a week determines whether the Tour may suspend the rebels.
Golfer Patrick Reed throws tee at Rory McIlroy in Dubai, video goes viral
Rory on blowing off Patrick Reed:
"I didn't see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently that's what happened. And if roles were reversed and I'd have of thrown that tee at him, I'd be expecting a lawsuit."pic.twitter.com/thXPfvz5Kp
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) January 25, 2023
American Reed then approached McIlroy, who was on his hunkers at the time and staring at the ground. McIlroy had just had his slander lawsuit against commentator Brandel Chamblee and Golf Channel dismissed by a federal judge in Florida on Friday.
For a brief while, Reed stood close to McIlroy with the aim to say hello, but McIlroy did not even turn to look at him. Reed insisted on giving McIlroy a handshake, but when he received no return, he gave up and walked away in frustration. However, not before sticking his hand in his pocket and hurling a tee in McIlroy’s direction. The event, which followed tales of conflict at the previous year’s BMW International, was the talk of the range and the competition.
The dispute in LIV Golf players competing in DP World Tour tournaments.
The Telegraph reports that after being disqualified from the Scottish Open and penalised by the DP World Tour for switching to LIV Golf, Sergio Garcia went on an expletive-filled tirade against his fellow DP World Tour competitors. Despite the dispute over LIV Golf, player relations are still regarded as friendly. However, McIlroy and fellow Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry confess they are uneasy with LIV Golf players competing in DP World Tour tournaments.
The DP World Tour said on Monday in Dubai that Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, and Branden Grace, three of the initial complainants in the upcoming arbitration case, had withdrawn their appeals and no longer intend to participate in the arbitration procedure.
This has led to rumours that Luke Donald or the tour may be considering allowing LIV Golf players to be selected for the Ryder Cup or to take part in the team room in some other capacity.