Golf fans were drawn to Brooks Koepka on Friday after the five-time major champion got into a protracted altercation over the rules on the fifth hole of his opening round.
During Friday’s opening round at LIV Houston, Brooks Koepka became embroiled in a protracted rules dispute that necessitated the involvement of his playing partner Patrick Reed.
With a two-under-par 70 in the first round, Koepka started the tournament five shots behind leaders Martin Kaymer, Adrian Meronk, and Caleb Surratt. The American began the shotgun start with a birdie, par, par on the first hole, and then at the fourth hole, he made a bogey.
Those in attendance were taken aback by the five-time major champion’s approach to his bogey five after he discovered a water hazard on the par-four fourth hole and had to accept a penalty drop.
To decide where he could take his next shot, Koepka first got into a dispute over where the ball had landed and crossed. It was acknowledged that the American could drop between the hazards on the putting surface on the bank, but this later presented a challenge for his drop.
Koepka’s ball would roll down the bank and back into the hazard because of the bank’s ridge. The former U.S. PGA champion may, therefore, attempt to drop the ball in accordance with golf rules before being permitted to putt after a second unsuccessful attempt.
But Koepka’s next mistake was trying to place the ball more than once because it seemed to be moving away from its original position. After consulting with his playing partner Reed, the former world No. 1 and the pair ultimately decided on a location for the ball that was no closer to the hole.
According to Rule 14.2e, “The player must try again if they attempt to replace a ball but it does not remain in the same place. The player must replace the ball if it moves from its original location and finds the closest spot where it will remain at rest, subject to certain restrictions based on the location of the original spot.
“The closest spot must be in the general vicinity and the spot cannot be closer to the hole. A two-stroke penalty is assessed for failing to comply with Rule 14.2, which involves playing the ball from the incorrect position.” Naturally, Koepka proceeded to play onto the green and then made a two-putting putt for bogey.
Aside from the rules dispute, the Cleeks had the best first day in Houston, with captain Kaymer, teammate Meronk, and Surratt of Legion XIII all tied for first place. With Richard Bland, the recent U.S. Senior PGA champion, tied in 48th place at two over, and Kalle Samooja tied in 15th place at three under, the all-European setup lead has taken a three-shot lead in the team standings going into day two.
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