Matt Fitzpatrick was involved in a controversial incident during the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club back in August.
During the Englishman’s final round – where he was battling to make the Tour Championship – a crack appeared on his driver head.
Fitzpatrick showed the damage to a rules official, assuming he would be able to replace the club with the spares in his locker.
The 30-year-old, however, was denied the chance after the rules official deemed it not damaged enough. Fitzpatrick called the decision an ‘absolute disgrace’, and Scottie Scheffler, who was playing alongside the 2022 US Open winner, agreed.
Golf fans also slammed the ruling, and now, the PGA Tour appear to have learnt from the incident.
PGA Tour confirm rule change after Matt Fitzpatrick incident
The PGA Tour rules committee has confirmed that a revision has taken place to Model Local Rule G-9.
Previously, the rule allowed for the replacement of broken or significantly damaged clubs, except for cracks. From January 2025, clubs that are cracked in the clubhead or clubface will be allowed to be replaced.
If only this rule had been in place for Fitzpatrick during the BMW Championship! It’s come six months too late for the Englishman.
What replacement clubs are allowed after PGA Tour confirm rule change?
Another important revision has confirmed that any replacement club must be similar to the damaged one, which will be taken out of play.
For example, a cracked driver must be replaced by another cracked driving club, or a seven-iron must be replaced by a club that fills that gap in the bag.
One rule which remains centres around abuse.
If a player damages his club out of frustration, a replacement will not be permitted. Overall, this feels like a wise decision from the rule committee; what happened to Fitzpatrick at Castle Pines felt wholly unfair.
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