The updated Rules of Golf have drawn the ire of some of the biggest stars in the sport after PGA Tour player Denny McCarthy was penalized during the second round of Waste Management Phoenix Open.
McCarthy and his caddie were dinged under Rule 10.2b(4), which prohibits caddies from lining up their payers.
Twitter user Brad Schneider brought the issue to light on Friday.
This is even worse than Haotong Li!! Y’all did my boy @_dennymccarthy dirty!! Practice swings, no intention to hit the ball, lines HIMSELF up, AND THEN GOES INTO HIS STANCE… get outta here @PGATOUR @WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/sbBbsaaLjl
— Brad Schneider (@bschneid117) February 2, 2019
McCarthy was penalized two strokes under the new rule in even more questionable fashion than Haotong Li was last week on the European Tour.
Just talked to Denny McCarthy. It was a 65-yard shot. Said he’s “never had a caddie line me up” and was told he was penalized 2 shots because he had assumed a “golf posture” near the ball. Seriously. https://t.co/AjZrAv3O8F
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 2, 2019
The enforcement of the rule upset a handful of high-profile professionals, including Justin Thomas, Brandt Snedeker, Luke Donald and Eddie Pepperell.
This is ridiculous… the fact this is a penalty is mind blowing. @USGA this NEEDS to be changed ASAP… there is nothing about this rule that makes the game better https://t.co/wtPmPOcss4
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 2, 2019
Shut the front door… He got penalised for this?!
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 2, 2019
Unbelievable… @USGA Good job simplifying the rules..
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) February 2, 2019
