It wouldn’t be a major golf tournament without a bit of controversy and at the PGA Championship this week, golf fans are now siding with Shane Lowry after his missed cut at Quail Hollow.
Lowry didn’t play to his usual high standards and eventually missed the cut alongside a number of other top players at the event.
However, while the likes of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas simply didn’t play well, Lowry had reasons to feel aggrieved at his own failure.
Lowry ended up missing the cut by just the one stroke and in the end, that stroke proved to be from what was a costly lie on the 8th hole.
Lowry found his ball in a divot in the fairway but when he consulted with the rules official, he wasn’t allowed any relief. He subsequently chipped out and into the bunker, and made a bogey which in the end, cost him the weekend.
And over on social media, golf fans have rallied behind Lowry and lamented the PGA Tour once more.
Golf fans back Shane Lowry as ‘ridiculous’ ruling sees him miss the cut at the PGA Championship
The debate around playing from divots has raged throughout history in golf. It’s cost a number of players over the years and remains a hot topic of conversation.
The current rulings allow for a ball to be moved if it is ’embedded’ in the general area of play.
However, on this occasion, Lowry’s ball was deemed to be lying in a divot created from another player’s shot and subsequently, no relief was granted.
Golf fans, though, feel the decision was harsh and once again, laid into the PGA and USGA.
One fan even suggested it could force players away to LIV Golf.
“Well , there’s the next guy headed for LIV next year. Keep it up PGA tour with the silliness & no common sense”
While another simply remarked ‘The PGA is a joke’ as another fan suggested the PGA was being embarrassed.
“All golf should be lift, clean, and place at all times. This has been an incredibly embarrassing week for the PGA of America.”
Another then lambasted the ruling.
“Maybe the dumbest rule in golf. If my ball made the hole I don’t have to play out of it but it someone else’s ball made the hole I have to”
Interestingly though, one golf account explained the rules and it does look as if Lowry might have been treated fairly.
Still, with that single shot costing Lowry a place in the last two rounds, it will sting more than usual.
Indeed, should such a situation occur on championship Sunday, it will be very interesting to see if the same logic is applied and ultimately, end up costing someone a major championship.
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