Patrick Reed's Mouth = More Trouble

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Big fines coming Patrick Reed's way -- a couple of expletives and a gay slur on the course at the HSBC has the Ryder Cupper in hot water.   Click here for the story.

 

Outspoken is one thing, but what kind of action should the tour take?

[Maverickping]

The gay slur will be the one that really gets him in trouble.Not certain what the penalty should/will be but hopefully it will be something that makes him and anyone else think twice.

[Mr_Theoo]

It'll be a hefty fine which is really no more than a slap on the wrist. 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Key question - should he be held accountable for something he mutters to himself? Has anyone here ever muttered something similar when leaving a putt short?

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2014/11/patrick-reed-muttered-somethin.html

[JBones]

Key question - should he be held accountable for something he mutters to himself? Has anyone here ever muttered something similar when leaving a putt short?

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2014/11/patrick-reed-muttered-somethin.html

You know, I'm with you on this.  If it wasn't for mics being EVERYWHERE, this wouldn't have been heard.  Stop invading personal space and you won't have incidents like this.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

The problem I have is that, I assume (haven't seen the footage yet), he said it to himself, and about himself. It's not like he was calling a competitor or spectator names. I think this has/will be been blown out of proportion unnecessarily

[hckymeyer]

My personal feeling is that is why we have a time delay on live programming.  Happens in other sports all the time, and even if you can't hear it, it's hard to not to lip read the F-bomb from the sidelines in football.  I agree with Brad, this is going to get blown out of proportion just because there happened to be a mic on him.

 

On the flip side, if you play on the PGA tour you knew what you were getting in to when you went out to play.  If those are the rules then you need to follow them.  Pay the fine and move on, this should not be a huge media story. 

 

I bet if this happened during Tiger's first tourney back we wouldn't have even heard of it.  There would actually be other stories for the media to cover.

[Maverickping]

Key question - should he be held accountable for something he mutters to himself? Has anyone here ever muttered something similar when leaving a putt short?

 

If you are in the spotlight whether you are in sports, politics etc., there should be a higher standard to which one should follow. Do they make errors, certainly and that is where the lesson comes in. The swear word I can think many have used it including myself, the other is where the real penalty should come in. If he was in the corporate world he would have very serious concerns and to a certain degree he is as he has sponsors. What do you think the reaction might be of one of his sponsors who happen to have a gay child? This is right up there with making a derogatory comment about another race; there are legal consequences when you choose to travel down that road.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

 

 

If you are in the spotlight whether you are in sports, politics etc., there should be a higher standard to which one should follow. Do they make errors, certainly and that is where the lesson comes in. The swear word I can think many have used it including myself, the other is where the real penalty should come in. If he was in the corporate world he would have very serious concerns and to a certain degree he is as he has sponsors. What do you think the reaction might be of one of his sponsors who happen to have a gay child? This is right up there with making a derogatory comment about another race; there are legal consequences when you choose to travel down that road.

 

That's an excellent point Mav...there are things we say without thinking in private or when golfing with buddies...but wouldn't even think of saying when we're at work or in a business environment.  I'm a public speaker by day and believe me - the words you use and the things you say are very important and professional language is the best language.  

 

Patrick Reed was at work and in the public eye - it's a different standard.  

 

Heard an old comedian on satellite radio a while back who had a line that applies here...

 

"People tell me you gotta watch what you say.  But I don't.  I watch what I think..."

[RoverRick]

I think he should embrace this, and get a contract with Loudmouth Golf.  As far as what he said, since I have said far worse to myself as he was doing it, I will not fault him.

 

Had he yelled this, or said it to someone else, I might fell differently.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

From Reed's Twitter feed today....

I'm sorry for using offensive language today in China. My passion to play well got the best of me and my word choice was unacceptable.

— Patrick Reed (@PReedGolf) November 6, 2014

[whiskey golf]

Another story blown way out of proportion. 

[Maverickping]

For those who suggest it has been blown out of proportion:

A couple schools of thought for you. The PGA is a company/product. And by association, the players are a sub contractor of the company. Since they make their living from the company they are responsible on how they represent the brand and the associated identities that are spun off of it. Anyone involved in business will understand the very fine line you manage on a daily basis in how you represent your company/brand.

To me the swear word is a poor choice but one that is used and to a certain degree is acceptable and that does include the world of professional sports. The racial slur is completely different though. Nobody in their right mind would ever use one, nor should they. Speaks volumes of one's mental makeup. If a spectator called TW for example a racial slur, would he get a pass? There would be consequences for it.

I can appreciate the heat of the moment scenario as well, I played sports and have said things where the spectators would have heard it and shake my head about it now. Never a racial slur though, my parents taught me that was unacceptable.

As for his apology big deal, he got caught and had to say something. I've done some “critical strategy” (public relations) work before and I can just imagine his agent getting the “call” and hit the scramble mode. They could have done a better job than what was done.

The punishment for what was said, not certain what would be just: but I do know/feel there is an opportunity for the company (PGA) to set the standard for acceptable conduct moving forward.

[silver & black]

I'm fairly sure we have all said a few self deprecating things to ourselves on a golf course. I don't think he should be fined for anything....just my opinion.

 

How many times was Tiger fined for throwing F bombs on the course? Just sayin'.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

 

The punishment for what was said, not certain what would be just: but I do know/feel there is an opportunity for the company (PGA) to set the standard for acceptable conduct moving forward.

 

Yup.

 

There is a standard for workplace behavior and what you can and can't say...HR departments spend their lives writing and rewriting company handbooks and guidelines.  One can lament about the world becoming too "politically correct" but no one should feel offended or discriminated against.  If anyone of us used those words in front of customers there would be consequences.

 

Patrick Reed didn't say anything I haven't said to myself when leaving putts short - but there is a difference.  No one pays money to watch me play golf (they "pay" in other ways  ), and I don't get paid to play, so I don't have to answer to sponsors, tournament directors, equipment companies, etc.  There's a difference, IMO.