When the American Patrick Reed was introduced to the packed gallery ahead of his singles match against Henrik Stenson on the last day of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland, the largely partisan crowd responded with a full-throated chorus of boos. At any other tournament, such a response – even for a player as unpopular as Reed – would have prompted a stream of tut tuts and finger-wagging editorials bemoaning golf’s lost soul. At the Ryder Cup though, it’s all part of the show. Golf’s most significant team event is an elaborate piece of sporting theatre, complete with…

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