Patrick Reed apologizes for using anti-gay slur, F-bombs

Golfer Patrick Reed apologized Friday for a profane outburst, which included an anti-gay slur and was caught on live TV, over his own play at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Friday.

“Yesterday, I made a stupid error,” Reed said. “Sorry for definitely the words that I said and everything that went on. Never should have happened. Unfortunately, it happened to me and all I can do is just learn from it and move on, hopefully continue playing well and keep giving fans something to watch.”

Reed’s tirade, which also included two F-bombs, came after he missed a 5-foot putt and ended up with a three-putt bogey on the 10th hole at the Sheshan International.

Frank Nobilo of the Golf Channel apologized to viewers immediately after the incident. Reed himself didn’t remember using that language until he was told about it after the round.

Reed faced the media a day later.

“It’s something not to be proud of, and something that you definitely can’t have happen,” said Reed, who could be fined by the PGA for his language. “Unfortunately, it got the best of me yesterday, and all I can do is not let it happen again.”

He added: “The passion I have for the game is never going to change. And the drive to play well and win is never going to change. It’s just if I’m ever going to get upset at myself, especially after a Ryder Cup and at the level of golf I’m playing nowadays, you can’t have outbursts. Unfortunately, I did, and happened to be on camera.”

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