'Bobby Jones Would Have Been Disappointed' - Chamblee On Koepka Caddie Incident
The Golf Channel analyst wasn't happy with the incident involving Koepka's caddie Ricky Elliott
Brandel Chamblee has suggested a controversial moment involving Brooks Koepka’s caddie could have been handled more honestly.
An enthralling opening round of The Masters at Augusta National was not without controversial talking points, with one of the most divisive being moments caught on video between Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott and Gary Woodland’s, Brennan Little.
Elliott appeared to say “five” to Little as the two crossed paths following the LIV Golf player’s second shot on the 15th. That seemed to indicate that Elliott had given advice to his counterpart on the club Koepka used, which would have been a breach of Rule 10.2a of the Rules of Golf, which states: “During a round, a player must not give advice to anyone in the competition who was playing on the course.” In that instance, the caddie is an extension of the player, hence why it could have constituted a breach of the rules.
pic.twitter.com/lSG9H8pbkRApril 6, 2023
There was enough in the incident for The Masters Committee to get involved, who questioned Elliott following Koepka’s round. However, it eventually determined that there had been no breach of the rules.
That didn’t appear to go down well with The Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, though, who seemed to suggest that the incident was cut and dried enough for more honesty to have prevailed. He tweeted: “Bobby Jones was known to have called penalties on himself that cost him majors… there’s a reason the highest honor given by the USGA is the Bobby Jones award… I think he would have been disappointed today.”
Bobby Jones was known to have called penalties on himself that cost him majors… there’s a reason the highest honor given by the USGA is the Bobby Jones award… I think he would have been disappointed today.April 7, 2023
Not everyone agreed, including Major-winning caddie Craig Connelly, who tweeted it “happens every single day” and also responded to Chamblee’s tweet saying: “Aye... what utter pish!”
Aye... what utter pish! https://t.co/S1rXS7uTa5April 7, 2023
After Koepka’s round, he was asked about the incident when talking to the media, and denied there had been an issue. He said: “We looked at it when we got back in. GW [Woodland] and Butchie [Little] had no idea what we were hitting; they didn't even know because - I know that fact because GW asked me what we hit walking off, when we were walking down. So that's all I can give you.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Following the incident involving the two caddies, Koepka finished strongly. He birdied the 15th, then closed out his round with two more to leave him tied for the lead with Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm.
The controversial moment involving Koepka's caddie wasn’t the only matter that led to questions in the opening round. A rules incident involving Collin Morikawa had set social media alight after he marked and replaced his ball on the 6th hole. However, Morikawa was also later cleared of any breach of the Rules.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Myrtle Beach Classic Prize Money Payout 2024
A new tournament on the PGA Tour takes place at South Carolina’s Dunes Golf and Beach Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Does Your Mind Race On The Golf Course? Stay In The Moment With These 5 Tips (Inspired By Nelly Korda)
Staying in the moment on the golf course is easier said than done, but here are tips to give you the best chance of playing your best
By Jess Ratcliffe Published
-
Brooks Koepka Warms Up For PGA Championship Defence By Sealing LIV Golf Singapore Victory
The American shot a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club to win his fourth individual LIV Golf title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'No Poaching' Players Clause Removed From PGA Tour-PIF Deal
A clause in the PGA Tour-PIF deal that prohibited poaching players from either the tour or LIV Golf has been removed after concerns it could break federal employment law
By Paul Higham Published
-
Michael Block Misses Out On ESPY As Scheffler Wins Golfer Of The Year Award
Michael Block missed out on an ESPY Award for his PGA Championship hole-in-one as Scottie Scheffler was crowned Golfer of the Year
By Paul Higham Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Says Lack Of Clarity Over PGA Tour/PIF Deal 'A Bit Worrisome'
World No.1 Scheffler has spoken out over his frustrations and concerns about the proposed link up between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
By James Nursey Published
-
WATCH: Flashmob Breaks Out On 1st Tee At LIV Golf London
The dancers performed a routine on the first tee ahead of the start of LIV's tournament at the Centurion Golf Club
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Wolff Says Koepka Comments 'Heartbreaking' As He Deals With Mental Health Challenges
Matthew Wolff says that he is heartbroken to read Brooks Koepka saying he'd given up on him, as he continues to deal with mental health challenges
By Paul Higham Published
-
How Many LIV Golfers Have Qualified For The 151st Open At Royal Liverpool?
There are 16 players from the LIV Golf League that will play in the Open Championship at Hoylake including defending champion Cameron Smith
By Paul Higham Published