Let me start by saying how much I enjoyed watching Patrick Reed play all four rounds at The Masters. There was a simplicity and clarity of thought to the way he approached Augusta National, he was a demon with his putter most of the week and for three rounds the way he played the four par 5s in -13 was extraordinary.

He was also incredibly tough mentally. To have golf’s best competitor, Jordan Spieth coming up from behind shooting 64, equalling The Masters lowest final round would have unsettled many players leading from the front.

But Patrick Reed is no ordinary golfer. Most of the words written about him today are disappointingly all about the controversies surrounding him. About the family who have turned against him and his troubles in college which all seems a mess. And about him speaking his mind. Well there is nothing wrong with that.

His caddie apparently reminded him during the final round to “just be you”. And that is a breath of fresh air when there is an almost paranoia in professional sports for maintaining popularity and image to the point where it is phony.

Honestly, I dont ever regret anything I say. I stand by my comments but I am just out here to play.

His wife Justine, who used to caddie for him before he played on the PGA Tour, says

“The less he sees me react the better”

Which is telling!

Although there were little moments of niggle, such as he and his caddie having their yardage books covered in the Stars and Stipes and with the logo of the United States Ryder Cup team, which might have annoyed playing partner McIlroy a little, overall whats not to like? The only loss of composure I saw was when Sergio put the green jacket on his shoulders and he audibly exhaled a long sigh of relief. Or could that be fresh air being blown into the stuffy Butler cabin? There is nothing wrong with confidence, or speaking your mind – golf needs more people like him to do so.

Interesting that Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Francesco Molinari, the winners of this year’s majors, all commit to playing in Europe regularly. Might be something that those on the PGA Tour say they will only do “when the Atlantic Ocean shrinks” might like to think about.