Reed calls Rory 'immature little child' over reaction to tee-throwing incident

Patrick Reed has clapped back at Rory McIlroy.

Reed said McIlroy ignored him when he tried to speak with him Tuesday at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. As Reed walked away, he flicked a LIV-branded golf tee at the Northern Irishman.

Reed defended his actions and described the "small little flick" as a "funny shot back."

"If you're going to act like an immature little child, then you might as well be treated like one," he said Wednesday, according to Golf Monthly's Elliott Heath.

"Our friendship's been pretty good up until obviously joining LIV," Reed added. "I walked over there and wished Harry (Diamond, McIlroy's caddie) Happy New Year and then Rory because it is the first time I have seen them.

"Harry shook my hand, and Rory just looked down there and was messing with his Trackman and decided to ignore us. We all know where it came from, being part of LIV."

Reed's comments came hours after McIlroy told the media he was in no mood for reconciliation. He said he received a subpoena from Reed's lawyers on Christmas Eve.

"If roles were reversed and I'd have thrown that tee at him, I'd be expecting him (to file) a lawsuit," McIlroy said.

He added, "Of course, trying to have a nice time with my family, and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you're not going to take that well.

"So again, I'm living in reality, I don't know where he's living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't expect a hello or a handshake."

When asked if he could ever mend bridges with Reed, McIlroy's facial expression said just about everything:

Reed refiled a defamation lawsuit against Golf Channel, Brandel Chamblee, and others last month. He said the subpoena for McIlroy was unrelated to those ongoing cases and instead involved the lawsuit between the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf.

Reed defected to the Saudi-backed breakaway league in June. McIlroy, who remained with the PGA TOUR, has been one of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf.

McIlroy and Reed are competing against each other this week in Dubai because LIV members are able to take part in DP World Tour events as the results of a hearing awaits. LIV players can't participate in PGA TOUR events.