Patrick Reed’s parents were onlookers as he claimed his first major success in the 2018 Masters at Augusta National, but it was the historic estranged relationship between the family that somewhat ‘overshadowed’ his victory.
Reed started the final round of the Masters with a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, and held his nerve during a dramatic Sunday to keep the chasing pack at bay. Having led since day two, Reed needed a closing par four for a one-under final round to finish a shot in front of Rickie Fowler with Jordan Spieth a further shot back.
First green jacket
It was fitting the Reed got his first green jacket, given to him by 2017 champion Sergio Garcia, in the town where he first made his name as a student at the Augusta State University in Georgia. Reed led his college team to two national titles in 2010 and 2011, ironically having been forced to switch to Augusta after being excluded from the University of Georgia in Athens after running into problems with the law.
It wasn’t until 2012 that the alleged estrangement from his parents Bill and Jeanette first started. His mother and his father were at Augusta all week, watching the final putt sink on the 18th green as Patrick Reed’s Masters win dream became a reality. But they weren’t welcomed by the winner himself, who remains at odds with his parents.
Bill and Jeanette had been against Reed marrying Justine Karain, who he had met at university, in 2012. The pair went ahead with the marriage against the wishes of his parents and the Reed family have been estranged ever since as a result.
Karain, or now Mrs Reed, was the only family member welcoming the Masters champion off the 18th green and accompanying him to the scorers’ hut. Her brother, meanwhile, had an even better view throughout the week as caddie to Reed, a job he has held for two years since Justine gave up the role.
Patrick Reed’s Masters win
Asked whether he was disappointment to not be able to celebrate his maiden major victory with his parents—who got him into the game of golf as a nine-year-old in Texas—Reed was quick to deflect the question in his press conference.
“I’m just out here to play golf and try to win golf tournaments,” was the stony-faced response from Reed, a character who has divided opinion ever since he broke out into professional golf.
At the age of 27, Reed had achieved his dream of winning one of the biggest tournaments of all. “It’s almost impossible to put into words,” he said. “Just to make par on the last and to watch the ball go in the hole and know that I’ve won my first major. To finish off that drought meant so much to me.
“Growing up, everyone always dreamed about winning Augusta, winning the Masters. Every time you think about it as a kid, it’s always ‘this putt’s to win the Masters’. I think that’s just because of the history and everything that’s gone on here at Augusta National and how special it is to all the golfers and special it is to just golf in general around the world.”
See also: Rory McIlroy ‘Confident’ to Win Grand Slam Despite Falling Short at 2018 Masters