Patrick Reed's defamation cases against US golf media dismissed

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed has seen his defamation claims against a number of media outlets and golf journalists dismissed by a federal judge.

Reed was suing various organisations and individuals, including the Golf Channel and its analyst Brandel Chamblee.

The 33-year-old had made more than 50 complaints alleging he had been defamed, and was seeking damages of $750million (€711.6m).

Reed began his lawsuits in August last year after joining the Saudi-backed rebel LIV Golf series.

He claimed there were people in the media "actively targeting" him to "destroy his reputation, create hate and a hostile work environment for him, and with the intention to discredit his name and accomplishments as a young, elite, world-class golfer."

US District Judge Timothy Corrigan, of Florida, has now ruled the cases are not strong enough to proceed.

His ruling read: "These cases involve professional golfer Patrick Reed's attempt to bring defamation claims against numerous publishers, writers, golf commentators and media outlets.

"His amended complaints reference over 50 different allegedly defamatory statements. However, many of the statements are not about Reed. Some statements are about LIV Golf, of which Reed is a member, but not specifically about Reed.

"Others are matters of opinion or rhetorical hyperbole. Still others are statements of fact, the truth of which are not challenged. And Reed does not meet the required pleading of actual malice to hold the press liable for defamation.

"While Reed may be frustrated at the negative media coverage he receives (some of which seems over the top), under Florida law and the First Amendment, Reed fails to bring actionable defamation claims and his cases therefore must be dismissed."