The concluding round of the 2024 BMW Championship is currently in progress, with Matt Fitzpatrick positioned in a tie for 27th place, as there are still holes remaining to be played at Castle Pines Golf Club. The par five eighth hole witnessed the PGA Tour professional engaging in a dispute with the rules officials.
During this hole, Fitzpatrick requested a club change due to a crack on his driver’s face. However, according to rule G-9 of the USGA, a club cannot be replaced solely on the basis of a crack. Given that golf is a sport that demands precision, the 29-year-old’s request was denied as the damage was deemed not to be “significant.”
Matt Fitzpatrick was not alone in his disappointment regarding the ruling. His playing partner for the day, Scottie Scheffler, also expressed his frustration. Annoyed by the rules official’s assertion that there was no “significant damage,” Fitzpatrick shared his thoughts in response:
This is outrageous, it’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve literally just watched a ball do a completely different thing from the whole morning. It couldn’t be more obvious.”
As the PGA Tour star’s requests went unnoticed, Scheffler took the initiative to support his playing partner. Here’s a look into the conversation:
Matt Fitzpatrick: “It’s caved in. There’s an obvious crack there that’s causing a defect of ball flight.”
Rules Official: “We have said no.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “So I’m going to have to use 3-wood for the rest of the day? That’s what you’re telling me?”
Rules Official: “I’m going to talk to Steven who is the chief referee, and I’ll meet you on the tee.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “This is outrageous, it’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve literally just watched a ball do a completely different thing from the whole morning. It couldn’t be more obvious.”
Rules Official: “But that’s not part of the local rule, to be able to change the driver.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “Yeah I understand the rule, but at the end of the day, it’s your opinion. It’s opinion, not fact.”
Rules Official: “But the local rule says ‘significant damage’.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “But again, that’s your opinion of that. The fact is there is literally a crack in the driver that is causing the ball to fly funny. That’s a fact.”
Scottie Scheffler: “You can feel the crack. The damage to the club is making the club not perform.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “You can’t deny that.”
Scottie Scheffler: “It’s been damaged throughout the course of play. That’s the first shot offline he’s hit all day and it carried about 80 yards shorter.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “It’s an absolute joke. I will make sure something is done after the round because it’s a joke. It’s the most obvious crack I’ve ever seen.”
Numerous fans and players, among them Scheffler, expressed their sympathy for the Englishman following the ruling. In response to the decision, Fitzpatrick opted to use his three wood from the tee for the remainder of the round.
🚨😡⛳️ #WATCH: Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler are not happy with a rules official: "This is outrageous, it's an absolute disgrace.” @MattFitzLegion @SchefflerFans
Do you agree with the ruling?
pic.twitter.com/Qv0c6M03j0— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 25, 2024
Will Matt Fitzpatrick play the 2024 Tour Championship?
As the 2024 BMW Championship wraps up, both players and fans are buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming events on the PGA Tour next week. The grand finale of the FedEx Playoffs, the Tour Championship, is just around the corner in Georgia.
Fitzpatrick entered the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club sitting in 36th place in the FedEx Cup Rankings. With only the top 30 players advancing to the final Tour Championship, he has to deliver an impressive performance. Unfortunately, due to some challenges with his club, he is expected to fall short of the top 30, according to the PGA Tour.
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