LIV Golf Responds Following Rules Incident At Promotions Event
During the third playoff hole of the second round, Ollie Schniederjans used the rules to his advantage but, following the incident, it caused some reaction online


Like any sport, there are pivotal moments that play a big part in the outcome or result. At the end of the second round of the LIV Golf Promotions Event on Friday, that's exactly what transpired.
With just 20 players qualifying for the 36-hole event on Saturday, we were forced into a playoff featuring numerous players. One of those was Ollie Schniederjans who, eventually, came out on top to book his spot in the Saturday showdown.
However, it wasn't as simple as that, especially when the American was given a free drop which caused a slight talking point online. Now though, LIV Golf have responded to the incident, releasing a statement on X/Twitter.
LIV Golf Promotions update:Schniederjans drop in second round playoff explained 👇 pic.twitter.com/x9vkhZHV20December 14, 2024
The statement reads: "On the third hole of the Friday playoff, Ollie Schniederjans's tee shot came to rest against the earthen wall that separates the desert and rough. The Model Local Rule that had been adopted for the week is as follows:
"Abnormal course conditions/immovable obstructions - Rule: 16.1 Earthen Walls: Between the grass and desert is ground under repair if the ball touches or when it interferes with the players area of intended swing, free relief is under Rule 16.1, but interference doesn't exist if the earthen wall interferes with only the players stance.
"Schniederjans took his nearest point of complete relief from the wall and dropped correctly within one club length, remaining in the general area."
Schniederjans carded rounds of 66 and 71 on Saturday to finish in a share of fourth
Speaking about the break after his round, Schniederjans stated: “I was assuming I was getting relief, but I hadn’t been in that spot all week. That was obviously a great break.”
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Certainly, it was a great break for the American, who then went on to shoot five-under on Saturday to finish in a share of fourth overall. Although he missed out on the LIV Golf spot, which went to Chieh-po Lee, Schniederjans did claim one of the International Series spots.
In 2024, Schniederjans made just 16 Korn Ferry Tour starts but, thanks to finishing inside the top 10 on the Promotions Event, he now qualifies for all 10 Internationals Series tournaments on the Asian Tour.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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