Patrick Reed challenges federal judge decision to dismiss his lawsuit for defamation: Report
Patrick Reed filed a defamation lawsuit against golf news channels, experts, and golf veterans who deliberately tried to question his decision to join the LIV Golf League in August 2022. The individuals included Brandel Chamblee, Shane Bacon, Eamon Lynch, and others. However, the 2018 Masters Champion's request was declined by a Federal judge in November 2022.
Reed, however, did not lose hope and filed a lawsuit again. But his plea was rejected again by a federal judge in September 2023.
Despite the dismissals, Patrick Reed reportedly has no intention of letting things easily. He has now filed a "motion to recuse" the federal judge who has dismissed 55 of his lawsuits till now, according to Golf Magic.
The attorneys from the Klayman Law Group argued that the golf news channels, experts, and other people were involved in "calculated, malicious, false and reckless attacks" on their client Reed, which has drastically affected his reputation.
The federal judge, who rejected Patrick Reed's plea, has stated that the golfer has "failed to bring actionable defamation claims." He was quoted by Golf Magic as saying:
"While Reed may be frustrated at the negative media coverage he receives (some of which seems over the top), under Florida law and the First Amendment, Reed fails to bring actionable defamation claims and his cases, therefore, must be dismissed."
The law firm representing Patrick Reed released a statement on Monday, October 23. It stated that they have filed a "motion to recuse" against Timothy J. Corrigan, the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The reason behind it was:
"biased conduct on dismissing 55 defamatory publications by the likes of Brandel Chamblee, Eamon Lynch, Shane Ryan, Shane Bacon, Damon Hack, Doug Ferguson and others in the coopted pro-PGA Tour golf media who have severely harmed Mr. Reed and his family and his team, all in an effort to also damage LIV Golf," as quoted by Golf Magic.
How has Patrick Reed performed in the 2023 LIV Golf season?
Patrick Reed, a key member of Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces GC, has played in all 14 Invitational series, including the Team Championship at Miami, in the 2023 LIV Golf season.
Patrick Reed has recorded five top 10 finishes this season. His best performance came at the Centurion Club in the London Invitational where he finished tied for second on the leaderboard.
Other than the runner-up finish, he registered three tied-for-third finishes at the Orlando Invitational, Adelaide Invitational, and the Bedminster Invitational. And his worst performance of the 2023 LIV Golf season came at the Mayakoba Invitational where he ended up T38 on the leaderboard.
Reed finished sixth on the season-long individual standings with 123 points. He ended up in the lock zone and will definitely feature in the 2024 season of the League.