He's known as the bad boy of American golf and it's a reputation Patrick Reed revels in as he vows to lead the USA to more Presidents Cup glory over the International underdogs next month.
Reed famously clashed with teammate Jordan Spieth and blamed US captain Jim Furyk for last year's Ryder Cup loss to Europe in France, but he's promising to continue being his own man at Royal Melbourne.
The 2018 Masters champion, who earned a captain's pick and nod of approval last Friday from Tiger Woods, said his image was borne from a burning desire to succeed and that he thrived carrying a siege mentality onto the course.
"I have a lot of passion for the game. I love to go out and feel like my back's up against the wall and go out and try to prove something every time I play," Reed said on Wednesday.
"It's just something that's always been a part of me. I like to show my emotions on the golf course and show my passion for the game.
"Go out and do my job and that's to play the best golf I can and try to win as many times and try to win as many points as possible."
Reed will undoubtedly be a target of International team hecklers but he has no plans on toning down his antics in a bid to win over fans when the powerhouse US outfit try to defend the Presidents Cup for the eighth successive time from December 12-15.
"Tiger's always told me - and he's told all of our guys - to be who you are and go out and play golf and do our job," he said.
Dubbed Captain America by fans for his undefeated singles record in Ryder Cup, Reed not surprisingly declared he wanted to square off with the Internationals' top dog in the singles in Melbourne.
"Whoever is playing the best on their team," he said when asked if there was anyone particular he'd like to play.
"For some reason I've always loved to go up against the best so whoever's playing the best that week I'd love to take them on on Sunday."
But he declined to nominate any preferred playing partners for the foursomes or fourballs, saying "really, I can see myself playing any one of the guys".
"It would be unfair for me to say I want to play with Tiger, or this guy or that guy.
"I would go to battle with anyone."
Australian Associated Press
