Report: Dismissal of Patrick Reed's $750m lawsuit against golf media upheld

The dismissal of Patrick Reed's $750m lawsuit against multiple members of the media has been upheld, according to a report. 

Reed originally filed the lawsuit in August 2022 and it targeted several prominent golf media personalities and organisations.

Chief among them were former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst and prominent LIV Golf critic Brandel Chamblee.

Chamblee has long criticised LIV Golf and opposes the league because he believes the breakaway tour is simply a form of sportswashing. 

LIV Golf is financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. 

Golf Channel presenters Damon Hack and Shane Bacon, as well as Golfweek columnist Eamon Lynch were also defendants in the suit. 

The former Masters champion said comments made about him following his switch from the PGA Tour to LIV had crossed into the arena defamation. 

He alleged he suffered damages exceeding $750m over losses of sponsorship, emotional harm and hurt to his family.

The suit listed companies such as Draft Kings, Titleist and Callaway among those who did not renew deals with the golfer. 

A federal judge in Florida dismissed the initial claim in November 2022. 

Judge Timothy Corrigan upheld that decision in September 2023 and later ordered Reed cover the legal fees of the defendants. 

Golfweek have now reported the appeals court agreed with the district court's decision to throw out all of the defamation claims. 

Reed could now choose to petition the Eleventh Circuit for a rehearing. 

If granted, the Eleventh Circuit would rehear the case, but Sportico report that such decisions are rare. 

Reed could also choose to petition the U.S. Supreme court. 

Reed talks Ryder Cup chances

Reed is currently in Spain playing LIV Golf's stop at Valderrama. 

The golfer has played well this year and posted a top three finish at The Masters.

He will undoubtedly believe that he is good enough to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup this September at Bethpage Black. 

But to do that, Reed believes he'll likely have to win next week's Open at Royal Portrush. 

"I think it all comes down to next week at The Open," he told reporters. 

"Obviously [I want to] play well here, but go ahead and win the Open Championship, and I believe I'd be inside the top six on points, so I think that would lock it in and allow me to be on the team."

He added: "Really the next couple weeks I have to play some solid golf, go out and contend on Sundays, have a chance to win golf tournaments, and if I do that, then hopefully Keegan picks me. 

"But at the end of the day, because we only get the majors that have points for the Ryder Cup, it's an uphill battle.

"The good thing is I feel like I'm in a good spot right now as long as I go out and play well in the final major."