Reed’s initial ruling was actually kept rather private. After he swiped sand away from his lie at the Hero World Challenge (which he claimed was done unintentionally), Reed met with Tour rules officials to see a recording of his actions via the television broadcast. Slugger White, the head of rules for the PGA Tour, handed Reed a two-shot penalty (which he accepted) and offered that Reed “could not have been more of a gentleman.”
That’s the type of “behind closed doors” setting Slumbers is referring to. Unfortunately for him, Reed, etc., what Slumbers also referred to is likely most true: “We live in a world where everything is seen and everything is talked about.”
The Reed rules controversy has perpetuated as a news story for nearly four months now, most recently being stirred up with comments by Brooks Koepka and Peter Kostis. Slumbers made sure to not stir it up anymore. Other stakeholders — like the PGA Tour’s Jay Monahan at the Players Championship and Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley — will surely be asked about it soon as well.
To receive GOLF’s newsletters, subscribe for free here.
