In case you didn't pick up on this in the 2014 Ryder Cup, Patrick Reed loves representing the United States. He's 'Murica in golfer form.
So, when it became clear that he would be on a second consecutive Ryder Cup team this year, Reed decided to get himself pumped for the biennial matches, this time at Hazeltine National in Minnesota, by watching an Australian import play a Revolutionary War figure.
That's right: Reed got jacked for the Ryder Cup by watching Mel Gibson in "The Patriot."
“There’s a scene where the Americans are in a battle against the British and retreating," Reed wrote for Golf Digest. "At which point Mel Gibson’s character retrieves an American flag, turns toward the British and charges headlong into them. The other colonists, seeing this, turn and follow. It totally turns the tide. That’s the spirit I try to play with in the Ryder Cup. It’s far from life and death, but pride, determination and passion can take you a long way."
So motivated by the idea of playing for his country, Reed has carried an American-themed yardage book for the last two years.
“And ever since my first Ryder Cup appearance at Gleneagles it’s led to me carrying a red, white and blue cover for my yardage book," he said. "It’s getting a little worn now, and I’m trying to find a duplicate."
