Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

• Patrick Reed leaves himself open to Rio withdrawal
• American said it ‘didn’t matter’ about the virus on Tuesday
• But now says he’ll weigh up his options after DJ pulls out

PATRICK REED | OLYMPICS

“It doesn’t matter about any kind of virus or anything,” said Patrick Reed on Tuesday night when chances of him representing Team USA at the Olympics were looking slim.

But after the overnight withdrawal of world No.2 Dustin Johnson, the 25-year-old was thrust into the Rio spotlight as the fourth and final American player and, when pressed for his thoughts after the third round of the Scottish Open as to whether he’d be teeing it up, he backtracked and gave a far more cautious answer.

“As far as I know, I’m going to go and play,” said Patrick Reed. “But at the end of the day, I need to go and talk to the whole family and talk to my team and make sure it’s the right decision.

“My phone was blowing up at 3.30am-4am this morning. I didn’t know what was going on. When the phone starts blowing up that time in the hour, I’m kind of sitting there thinking, all right, what’s going on at home, did something happen.

CONTINUES BELOW…

AAM Scottish Open - Day Three

“I’m just weighing the factors everyone else is, you know, security, Zika, everything. But at the same time, you know me, I’m a competitor, and whenever I can play for my country, I’m going to do it.”

Now a ‘lock on’ for the USA side, which is confirmed on Monday, Patrick Reed was far more certain about representing his country when speaking at a Ballantine’s Golf Club event before the Scottish Open.

“Any time I can represent my country, there’s no doubt I’ll play,” he said. “It doesn’t matter about any kind of virus or anything that’s going on, when it comes down to it, if it’s the Ryder Cup or the Olympics – anything where I can wear the Stars & Stripes I’m going to wear it and wear it proud.

“Growing up, I watched the Olympics and just wished that one day I could win a gold medal. Now that golf is finally there and we have that opportunity, it’s sad seeing the top players not going over and playing but at the same time, there are a lot of concerns which you have to understand.”

Patrick Reed :: What do you make of his backtrack?

What do you make of Patrick Reed’s backtrack in his comments about whether he will tee it up at the Olympics or not? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

topics

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship