DP World Tour Referee Statement Issued After Patrick Reed Tree Ruling
Tournament officials have given a statement on the Patrick Reed ruling that saw his ball stuck in a palm tree


Following a controversial moment that saw Patrick Reed take a penalty drop from the wrong tree during the third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, tournament officials have released a statement explaining the situation.
In the release, it is stated that: "During round three of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, two on course referees and several marshals identified that Patrick Reed's ball had become lodged in a specific tree following his tee shot on 17. The DP World Tour chief referee joined the player in the area and asked him to identify his distinctive ball markings.
Here the statement from tournament officials regarding Patrick Reed golf ball on tree pic.twitter.com/nuX3zeh9FCJanuary 29, 2023
"Using binoculars, the chief referee was satisfied that a ball with those markings was lodged in the tree. The player subsequently took an unplayable penalty drop (Rule 19.2c) at the point directly below on the ground. To clarify, the player was not asked to specify the tree but to identify his distinctive ball markings to confirm it was his ball."
For context, Reed was playing the driveable 17th hole at Emirates GC when, after striking his tee shot, the ball sailed towards the green. However, as it started to fall, it made impact with one of the palm trees that run alongside the hole, with the ball appearing to not drop down.
As the camera panned back to the action, Reed was seen talking to a rules official, as they both used a set of binoculars to identify the golf ball that had been lodged in the stump. However, after the American identified it and took the drop, it was soon revealed by Sky Sports that the tree he dropped from was not the tree the ball had made impact with.
Patrick Reed identifies his ball in left of the 3 trees yet the tv camera clearly shows it going in the right hand tree?? Am I missing something pic.twitter.com/tOr3yTza14January 29, 2023
Instead, the tree that Reed hit was slightly to the right of the one he took the drop from. It is worth noting that the tee shot on the 17th is completely unsighted, so it is highly likely that the 32-year-old would have been told which tree he struck with his drive.
Making a birdie at the last, Reed sits in a big logjam at 11-under-par, with the American trailing Rory McIlroy by four shots going into the final round. The two have already clashed this week, with the duo involved in a slightly tense exchange, which resulted in Reed reportedly tossing a tee in McIlroy's direction.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°
Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
-
Dylan Wu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Dylan Wu was introduced to golf early and nowadays is a PGA Tour mainstay – here are 10 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall
-
David Lipsky Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
David Lipsky has built a successful career since turning professional in 2011 – here are 15 things to know about him
By Mike Hall
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid Athletes
Tiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
‘I Spoke To Two Presidents The Day After’ – Rory McIlroy Reflects On 'Absolutely Amazing' Reaction To Masters Win
The five-time Major winner revealed he had spoken to two presidents in the aftermath of completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock