Dubai tee-throwing incident: Rory McIlroy responds to Patrick Reed’s action at Dubai practice range

Rory McIlroy responded to the tee-throwing incident that took place on a Dubai practice range Monday. Patrick Reed threw a tee at McIlroy in disgust after being snubbed by the Northern Irishman.

Reacting to the incident, McIlroy said that he was well within his rights to ignore Reed. McIlroy said that he “didn’t feel the need” to acknowledge Reed and would have expected a lawsuit if he’d thrown a tee at the American, Independent. ie reported.

A video of the incident was shared on Twitter which purportedly shows Reed trying to speak to McIlroy on the range at the Emirates Golf Club ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. However, he was ignored by the world number-one McIlroy. In disgust, Reed flicked a tee in his direction.

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Tensions between the two had erupted after Reed’s lawyer sent a subpoena to McIlroy on Christmas Eve as a “co-conspirator” in a class action case the former is taking against the PGA Tour.

“I didn’t see it,” McIlroy said of the tee. “I was down by my bag and he came up to me, and I was busy working and sort of doing my practise, and I didn’t really feel like – I didn’t feel the need to acknowledge him.

“So I didn’t see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently, that’s what happened. And if roles were reversed and I’d have of thrown that tee at him, I’d be expecting a lawsuit from him.”

When McIlroy was pressed for details, he said: “Nothing. Patrick came up to say hello and I didn’t really want him to.

“In my – from my recollection, that was it. I didn’t see a tee. I didn’t feel a tee. Obviously someone else saw that. But it’s definitely a storm in a teacup. Obviously nothing – I can’t believe it’s actually turned into a story. Yeah, it’s nothing.”

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Talking about the lawsuit, he said: “Yeah, I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So of course, trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well.”

“So again, I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake,” he added.