Patrick Reed wildly mishits at LIV event — and a fan becomes part of the story

Patrick Reed hacked his ball out of the hay, and perhaps the reactions of those near the scene tell the story best. 

We’ll start with Reed. On Friday, he was playing the first round of the LIV Golf London event, his tee shot on the par-5 13th at Centurion Golf Club found the thick left rough, and he attempted a punch-out. His ball blasted out. It rocketed left. 

And Reed? He drooped his shoulders. “Ooooh,” he said. For a few seconds, he held the position.

What about the fans? There were about 25 immediately to Reed’s left. Most were looking into their phones, recording the action. On contact, they turned forward. They then turned back. 

Did that ball really come inches … from a man’s head? 

Indeed. 

So how did he respond? Rather calmly, despite the near calamity. He ducked. He took a few steps forward. He took a few steps back. 

How did it all sound on the broadcast? We’ll use the comments from analysts David Feherty and Jerry Foltz said during a slow-motion replay.  

Said Feherty: “Takes a mighty heave at it, but just gets turned over in the grass.” 

Said Foltz: “Ohhhh.” 

Said Feherty: “Straight over that man’s head. Just misses him.” 

Said Feherty: “‘Oooooh.’ Patrick a little worried about that chap, as well as his ball.”

There was more.  

With the man OK, and seven seconds after he hit, Reed said one word, which was audible to those around him and picked up by the broadcast’s mics. 

“Fore.” 

It drew laughter. Said Foltz on the broadcast: “Foltz: Even had the presence of mind to joke about it afterwards and yell, fore.” 

From there, Reed chipped in for a par five on the hole, finished with a one-under 71, followed with a second-round 64, and he’ll start the final round on Sunday four strokes back of leader Cam Smith. 

Said Feherty ahead of the chip-in: “Well, Patrick Reed, who nearly killed a man, has this for par.” 

Said Foltz after the chip-in: “Ohhhh boy.” 

Said Feherty: “Good stuff.” 

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Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for editing, writing and developing stories across the golf space. And when he’s not writing about ways to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash away his score. You can reach out to him about any of these topics — his stories, his game or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.