What Patrick Reed said about the end of his Ryder Cup partnership with Jordan Spieth

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While Tom Watson’s captaincy at the 2014 Ryder Cup may not be remembered too fondly, he did make one decision which looked set to positively impact the Team USA lineup for years to come.

One of the captain’s biggest challenges ahead of the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup is uncovering the pairings which are going to click and prove formidable. And Watson certainly found one in 2014 in rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.

Reed and Spieth would go unbeaten in their three matches together at Gleneagles. In fact, they would only lose one of the 12 matches they played together between the 2014 Ryder Cup and the 2017 Presidents Cup.

So it was a shock when Jim Furyk mixed things up for the 2018 Ryder Cup, with Spieth playing alongside Justin Thomas. Reed meanwhile, played two matches alongside Tiger Woods.

What Patrick Reed said about the end of his partnership with Jordan Spieth at the 2018 Ryder Cup

In fairness, Spieth and Thomas won three of their four matches together. But Reed’s only point at Le Golf National came in the singles. And he has not played in a Ryder Cup since.

And speaking to the New York Times later in the year, Reed explained how his partnership with Spieth came to an end.

“The issue is obviously with Jordan not wanting to play with me,” he said.

“I don’t have any issue with Jordan. When it comes right down to it, I don’t care if I like the person I’m paired with or if the person likes me as long as it works and it sets up the team for success.

“He and I know how to make each other better. We know how to get the job done.”

How successful Reed and Spieth were together in the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup

Given the impact Reed had on the Ryder Cup – earning the nickname Captain America – it is surprising that he only played in three and lost twice. He was unbelievably good in both 2014 and 2016.

Reed has never been afraid to speak his mind, which has probably done his chances of extending his Ryder Cup career few favours. Reed has now criticised the idea of American players getting paid for playing in the 2025 event at Bethpage.

But Reed is right; and he was correct in what he said about partnership with Spieth. Ultimately, the partnership’s success should trump how much the pair get along.

The US are well placed to regain the trophy in 2025 given how challenging winning an away Ryder Cup has become. But it would certainly help Bradley’s cause if he had a partnership like the one between Spieth and Reed to call upon in New York.