'Steel Mentality' Lead: "Criticism as a Winning Stimulant?"

Bad Boy Temperament and Unique Family History, Arrogance, Golf Rule Violations 'Controversy' "I Will Silence the Controversy with Victory"

Patrick Reed is cheering after sinking a winning birdie on the 17th hole of the final day at the Mexico Championship. Mexico City (Mexico) = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Criticism actually serves as motivation to win."

It's the 'steel mentality' of Patrick Reed (USA). On the final day of the World Golf Championships (WGC) Series Mexico Championship (total prize money $10.5 million), held on the 24th (Korean time) at Chapultepec Golf Club (par 71) in Mexico City, Mexico, he shot 4 under par to achieve a one-stroke come-from-behind victory (18 under par 266). This marked his 8th PGA Tour win, his first in six months since The Northern Trust last August, and earned him a 'jackpot' of $1.82 million (22.2 billion KRW).

Reed is the 2018 Masters champion. Interestingly, at that time, articles flooded in calling him "the most unpopular Masters winner ever." His distinct rebellious streak, unique family background, and verbal slip-ups have clearly divided opinions. In 2008, during his time at the University of Georgia in Athens, he was expelled from the golf team due to so-called 'bullying,' theft, and drinking, and he severed ties with his family. His relationship with his parents deteriorated after they opposed his marriage to his wife, Justin, who is four years older.

At the 2014 US Open, he even chased his family members off the course. It is rumored that Justin reported this to the police. After winning the Cadillac Championship in 2014, Reed once again drew fans' ire with his arrogance, claiming, "I have the talent to be in the world's top five." It is surprising that he has been collecting trophies every year, including two wins in 2013 and 2014 such as the Wyndham Championship and the Humana Challenge, as well as victories in the Hyundai Tournament in 2015 and The Barclays in 2016.

Patrick Reed posed holding the trophy immediately after winning the Mexico Championship. Mexico City (Mexico) = Getty Images / Photo by Multivitz

Recently, he has been embroiled in controversy again due to a 'golf rules violation.' The issue started when Reed received a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie by brushing sand twice with his clubhead near the green in the waste area on the 11th hole (par 5) during the third round of the Hero World Challenge, a premium event last December. He protested his innocence, saying, "If you change the camera angle, you can see that it was not a rules violation," but this only intensified the controversy, painting him as lacking integrity.

In January, during a playoff on the final day of the Sentry Tournament at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course (par 73) on Maui Island, Hawaii, he was even called a 'cheater' by spectators. Just before this tournament, Brooks Koepka (USA) criticized Reed, saying, "His actions are just like the Houston Astros, who won the Major League Baseball World Series by stealing signs," and commentators also joined in, calling his rule violations habitual.

However, Reed said he is "used to such criticism," showing unwavering performance by firing an 8-under-par round on the second day, powered by a maximum drive of 374 yards. He revealed his hunter instinct, saying, "I vowed that I must win this tournament to silence various controversies from the start," and added, "I want to establish myself as a player who grows both on and off the golf course and become a good role model for the next generation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.