A FAN yelled “cheater” at controversial golfer Patrick Reed as he missed a crucial putt worth 535,000.
The American shot a seven-under round of 66 to force his way into a play-off with Justin Thomas at the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Sunday.
Standing over a birdie putt, Reed played his shot before a spectator called out from beside the green.
The clear and obvious shout was picked up by TV microphones as the ball ran wide of the hole.
Reed stared towards the direction the noise had come from, looking understandably aggrieved.
The 29-year-old sunk his par putt but Thomas nailed his birdie chance to claim the 1.02million prize, while Reed had to settle for 483,000.
One commentator calling the action said: “That was pretty unfortunate. You see Reed glaring up at the stands.
“Someone yelled as loud and as clear as day, ‘Cheater!’ as that ball was racing toward the hole. There was no doubt about it.”
Reed was competing for the first time since coming under heavy criticism for improving his lie by moving sand away from his ball while taking a practice swing at the World Hero Challenge in December.
He claimed it was an accident and was backed by Rory McIlroy but was hit with a two-shot penalty regardless.
The 2018 Masters champion felt the full force of rival players and fans during last month’s President Cup for the alleged cheating – before his caddy was banned from the final day of the even for fighting with a fan.
But speaking after the event on Sunday, Reed refused to be drawn on the latest heckling incident.
He said: “Its all about winning. At the end of the day, I did what I had to do today.
“I went out and had to go shoot a low number – especially with how windy it was today – to give myself an opportunity, and I did.
“Unfortunately, I had two putts to close it, and one of them I got gusted on and this last one, with the wind and the break, it got me again.”
