The Loop
Video: Patrick Reed got really unlucky on this approach shot Friday at the WGC-HSBC Champions
Patrick Reed has already had a great autumn of golf. We're pretty sure the U.S. Ryder Cup hero is still celebrating his success at Hazeltine. So we don't think he's going to complain over this unlucky bounce. Though he has every right to if he wants.
The 26-year-old's trip over to China for the WGC-HSBC Champions isn't off to a great start. Reed opened up with a first-round 78, and was 7-over par when he was playing the eighth hole at Sheshan Golf Club. Then this happened . . .
Any golfers know that you have to expect some bad luck from time to time on the course. Usually the bad breaks even out. Which is why we don't think Reed is sweating this untimely ricochet into the drink.
Amazingly, Dustin Johnson had the same thing happen to him at the same hole last year. DJ was in contention at the time, adding to the cruelness of the bad break. This bad break likely costed him a chance at winning, and more than $500,000.
Reed's break was bad, but he's currently five spots out of last place -- so it's probably a much easier to swallow than DJ's.
We're wondering if one of the Ryder Cup vice captains, who has some pretty memorable experience with hitting a too-perfect approach shot that hits the flagstick and rolls back into the water. It's hard to top that bad luck . . .
You think Tiger will shoot a quick text to Reed to offer some sympathy?