"Golf's Bad Boys"... Reed, Daly, and Allenby

Lead 'Tea Gate' and 'Tree Gate' Frequent Troublemakers
Daly 'Alcohol and Gambling Addiction', Allenby 'Kidnapping and Assault Hoax'
Garcia 'Spitting in Hole'... Kim Hanbyeol 'Fore Caddy Insult'

The world of golf is heating up. It is all because of Patty Reed (USA), the 2018 Masters champion. This year, she continues to create constant issues both on and off the field.

Reed was at the center of attention at the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which concluded on the 30th at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). First, she clashed with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). Before the tournament began, Reed stirred controversy by throwing a wooden tee at McIlroy, who was displeased with her joining LIV Golf. This incident became known as the 'Tee Gate.'

Patrick Reed continues to be frequently involved in controversies in the golf world this year as well.

But it did not end there. On the 17th hole (par 4) of the third round, she was embroiled in a rules violation suspicion. Her tee shot got stuck between the branches of a palm tree, and she took a one-stroke penalty before continuing play. However, after the round ended, suspicions arose that Reed pretended to check her ball. This became known as the 'Tree Gate.'

Reed has previously been suspected several times of cheating and breaking rules. In the 2019 'special event' Hero World Challenge, on the 11th hole (par 5) of the third round, she was penalized two strokes for improving her lie by rubbing sand twice with her clubhead. In the 2020 PGA Tour 'champion of champions' Sentry Tournament of Champions, she was even called a 'cheater' by spectators. Peter Kostis, a CBS golf course commentator, publicly stated, "I have witnessed Reed breaking the rules to improve her lie at least four times during PGA Tour events."

Reed is a player frequently involved in controversies. During her time at the University of Georgia, she was expelled from the golf team for reasons including cheating at 'Alkkagi' (a Korean game) and theft, as well as being caught drinking. She also often makes verbal blunders. After winning the 2014 Cadillac Championship, she arrogantly said, "I am in the world’s top 5 by skill." At that time, Reed’s world ranking was 20th.

Reed has cut ties with her family. She had a falling out with her parents who opposed her marriage to Justin, who is four years older than her. This is why Reed is unpopular in American society, which values family culture. At the 2014 US Open, she made a shocking move by chasing her parents and younger sister off the course. Although Reed’s parents live near Augusta, they are not allowed to attend the Masters.

John Daly is famously known as the original troublemaker due to his addictions to alcohol and gambling.

The original 'troublemaker' is John Daly (USA). He quickly rose to world stardom by winning two majors: the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship, but when he fell into a slump, he would throw his club into a lake or quit rounds and go home if things didn’t go well. That was just the tip of the iceberg. He once shot towards spectators and threw a camera. He also caused a drunken disturbance and was suspended from the PGA Tour for six months, marking a 'dark chapter' in his career.

Daly has multiple divorces, alcohol addiction, and lost $55 million (about 67.1 billion KRW) gambling over 15 years starting in 1992. In 2014, he caused controversy by publicly showing himself placing a tee in the mouth of a young female model and hitting a drive shot. Daly’s fourth wife, Sherry Miller, mocked, "Compared to my husband, Tiger Woods (USA), who caused a 'sex scandal,' is a saint." Daly is currently active on the Champions (Senior) Tour.

Robert Allenby (Australia) cannot be left out. Although he has four PGA Tour wins, he has been criticized for reckless behavior as his career declined. At the 2015 Sony Open, he posted a photo of his bruised face on social media and claimed, "I was kidnapped and assaulted." However, suspicions arose that he was at a strip club, leading to rumors that it was a staged act. At the Canadian Open, he drew attention by firing his caddie during the first round.

In 2016, Allenby was jailed after causing a disturbance at a casino in Rock Island, Ohio, USA. The trigger was missing the cut at the PGA Tour John Deere Classic second round the day before. He was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. Arrested by Rock Island police, he was locked up for about an hour before being released on $1,500 (about 1.65 million KRW) bail. Allenby currently plays on the Champions Tour.

Sergio Garcia has a 'dark history' of marking the green with his putter and spitting into the hole.

Sergio Garcia (Spain), the 2017 Masters champion, is also a 'troublemaker.' On the third day of the 2019 DP World Tour Saudi International, he damaged the green in five places with his putter. According to Rule 1-2 of golf, "Players must show consideration to others and protect the course," he was disqualified. In the 2002 Korean Open, he made a motion to hit a photographer with his golf club, and in 2007, after missing a putt, he spat into the hole.

There are also cases of players collapsing due to losing control of their emotions. Danny Lee (New Zealand) made a careless putt on the 18th hole (par 4) of the third round at the 2020 US Open. He took six putts from 1.2 meters, and after a bogey putt, he repeatedly tapped the ball and broke down. He finished the hole with a quintuple bogey, five strokes over par, then angrily slammed his golf bag with his putter and withdrew citing a "wrist injury." Lee was heavily criticized for unprofessional behavior.

Hanbyul Kim caused a 'scandal' at the 2023 Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour Hyundai Insurance Choi Kyung-Ju Invitational in October last year. Kim cursed because the fore caddie, who checks the position of the player's ball, failed to distinguish his ball, and after hitting from the rough, he even broke a golf club. Kim bowed his head and sincerely apologized, saying, "I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my thoughtless and inconsiderate behavior and inappropriate language."