Ryder Cup star’s wife risked it all by calling out Jordan Spieth in historic golf spat

Ryder Cup will forever be remembered as a momentous event, not just for the fierce competition on the green, but for the dramatic discord that unfolded within the ranks of the American team. As the USA descended upon Rome as the reigning champions, little did they anticipate the tumultuous ride that lay ahead. The Ryder Cup had long eluded them on European soil since their last victory in 1993, and they were determined to break the streak. However, the tournament would soon unravel, and at the epicenter of the turmoil was none other than the decorated golfer Jordan Spieth.

The loss was undoubtedly an embarrassment for the star-studded American team, boasting luminaries like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Yet, cracks in their unity began to emerge even before the final putts were sunk. The story began with Spieth and Patrick Reed, a formidable duo with a 66 percent win rate when paired together. However, the team’s captain, Jim Furyk, elected to separate them for both Friday and Saturday’s matches, a decision that would set the stage for the controversy that followed.

Spieth found himself paired with Justin Thomas, a close friend, and together they managed to secure an impressive three out of four possible points over the first two days of play. Reed, on the other hand, was chosen for just two matches, both alongside Woods, and both ending in defeat. It didn’t take long for social media to ignite with discussions about the absence of the Spieth/Reed partnership, with one commenter suggesting that Reed didn’t want to play with Spieth.

The comment caught the attention of Justine Reed, Patrick Reed’s wife, who had maintained a month-long Twitter silence but chose this moment to respond. She emphatically stated, “I can assure you – you’re wrong. Patrick never said that he didn’t want to play with Jordan. Maybe you should ask Jordan why he didn’t want to play with Patrick. You don’t have to love the people you work with – but when you have chemistry and success, you go with it for the TEAM.”

Before this rift, Patrick Reed had earned the moniker ‘Captain America’ for his heroic performances on previous Ryder Cup teams. His track record was near-flawless, having lost just one match out of nine, and he famously defeated Rory McIlroy in a thrilling Sunday singles match in 2016, a moment etched in Ryder Cup history.

However, Reed’s journey took an unexpected turn as he battled pneumonia, sidelining him from the American team that recaptured the trophy at Whistling Straits in 2021. Furthermore, his defection to the LIV Golf tour ensured his absence at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club for the Ryder Cup in 2023.

In contrast, Jordan Spieth, a 30-year-old Texan, was poised to return as one of Zach Johnson’s expected wildcard picks for Rome. Yet, Spieth had one glaring statistic he needed to overcome – he had never won a singles match in four attempts. Reed, with three Ryder Cup appearances under his belt, had never experienced defeat in a singles match.

The saga of Spieth and Reed serves as a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional golf, personalities and chemistry play a pivotal role in team dynamics. The 2018 Ryder Cup will forever stand as a testament to the fragile nature of partnerships, even among the most talented athletes in the sport. As the Ryder Cup in Rome unfolds, the legacy of this historic golf spat continues to cast a shadow over the American team’s quest for victory on foreign soil.