When Patrick Reed walked out of Augusta National, he had the right to boast that he came pretty close (3) to winning his second green jacket. Based on that achievement, fans believed he would replicate it at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, only to be let down by Reed’s missed cut. But, hey, for a golfer whose “unsmiling, ultra-focused on-course persona has led to him being one of the most misunderstood players in the modern game,” according to his LIV Golf profile, the conversation isn’t over. At least when it comes to his bodyguard.

Yes, you read that right. Patrick Reed has a bodyguard right by his side during his on-course actions (and possibly outside it as well). According to a recent LIV Golf video update, fans can see a jacked-up man, Tiny, walking around and watching Reed practice his swings. In the video, Reed’s bodyguard is dressed in a green shirt, black pants, and a black snapback, walking beside Reed while the caption on the video reads: “Reed’s bodyguard is a straight-up tank ☠️. Nickname: TINY.”

While the video has gone viral among golf fans, this isn’t the first time Reed has had a security team around him; the golfer also benefited from the safety provided by a security team during the LIV Golf event in Mexico. However, golfers hiring security guards isn’t recent news. At the 2010 Masters, for instance, Tiger Woods hired 90 private bodyguards—including former FBI and Secret Service agents—to prevent confrontations with his ex-mistresses during the Augusta National event. While we wait for Patrick Reed’s explanation for his need for security, here’s what the fans are saying.

Fans are baffled by Patrick Reed’s bodyguard’s presence

LIV Golf provides its security team on the course, prioritizing safety for players and fans. Their strategy includes trained personnel to assist with emergencies, such as re-entry after exiting the venue. Perhaps that’s why fans are baffled by the presence of TINY during a non-event gameplay. One fan said, “Why does he need a bodyguard?” while another asked, “In what world does Patrick Reed need a bodyguard?!” In addition to general security, LIV Golf utilizes advanced technologies like RFID wristbands for tracking attendees and facial recognition for monitoring individuals on-site.

However, a few fans also assume this decision is probably because of all the “cheating” allegations Patrick Reed has faced. One fan said, “Tiny doesn’t talk. Tiny watches….Patrick cheat,” while the other replied, “Is this guy there to protect his cheating ways? Intimidate anyone who comes near so he can kick the ball or make sure no one question whether it’s embedded. Maybe stop cameras from filming him grounding his club in a bunker? Cheaters gotta cheat!”

In The Cup They Couldn’t Lose, the former Grantland.com writer, Shane Ryan, claimed incidents from Patrick Reed’s career, including a qualifying round where officials found Reed’s ball unexpectedly closer to the fairway, leading teammates to suspect cheating, which he denied. At Augusta State, he faced accusations of shaving strokes off his scorecards; although his teammates voted for his expulsion, his coach imposed a two-match suspension instead. However, Reed has often spoken against the accusations. In 2015, for instance, he said, “Accusations that were made against me are serious and were intended to damage my reputation and character. They will not be taken lightly.” 

Lastly, a fan said, “Protecting him from all 6 fans out there. Busy job.” Ok, now that’s a dig. Let’s begin with the latest LIV Golf viewership numbers compared to the PGA Tour’s event, the CJ CUP Byron Nelson. LIV Korea attracted 30,000 viewers on Friday, 59,000 on Saturday, and 48,000 on Sunday, totaling approximately 137,000 viewers over the three days. In contrast, in the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson alone drew an impressive 2.918 million viewers. However, the on-course attendance presents a mixed bag. For instance, the Adelaide event drew 102,483 fans, but only 15,000 spectators attended its Chicago event on the second day.