Presidents Cup 2019: Friendship with Reed is over – Smith

Australian golfer Cameron Smith's friendship with Patrick Reed of United States is over after the controversy at the Hero World Challenge.

Published : Dec 11, 2019 17:44 IST

Australian Cameron Smith accused Patrick Reed of cheating at the Hero World Challenge.
Australian Cameron Smith accused Patrick Reed of cheating at the Hero World Challenge.
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Australian Cameron Smith accused Patrick Reed of cheating at the Hero World Challenge.

Cameron Smith said his friendship with Patrick Reed was over and admitted there was "a little bit of tension" between the pair. Smith criticised Reed after the American was assessed a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie during last week's Hero World Challenge.

The Australian accused Reed of cheating, while the 2018 Masters champion has insisted the incident was unintentional. Speaking ahead of the Presidents Cup, Smith said his friendship with Reed was over.

"I'm sure he didn't like it [the comments]. I think there is a little bit of tension there," he told a news conference on Wednesday. "I've looked at Patrick a couple times but he hasn't looked back. I'm looking forward to the weekend."

Smith added: "I definitely won't go out of my way [to talk to him]. I think our friendship, I guess, is not quite there anymore. Yeah, you know, whatever Ernie Els [International captain] thinks is best I'm willing to do. I'm here to do a job for Ernie and that's all I'm focusing on."

Smith said he had a friendly relationship with Reed, with the pair sharing a physio. However, the 26-year-old said he was simply doing what he felt was right.

"I think it's a case of what's right and what's wrong," Smith said."I think there's something to be said about that."

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