PGA Of America Deny Reported Rules Blunder

There appeared to be controversy at the PGA Professional Championship after one of the competitors took to X to state that holes had been recut before everyone could finish their second round. However, that has now been denied by the PGA of America.

Pro JJ Killeen claimed on X that the apparent blunder happened at the Fields Ranch East and West event in Frisco, Texas, when the fading light led to the suspension of play in the second round. According to Killeen, by the next morning, some players who had marked their balls on the greens returned to find the holes recut. 

So, had there been an oversight from organizers of the tournament, which offers the top 20 exemptions into the second Major of the year, the PGA Championship at Valhalla? Not according to the PGA of America, who Golf Monthly contacted for a comment.

It responded: "Hole locations are only moved in between rounds. They were not moved prior to the resumption of round 2.

"Once all play during round 2 was completed, our championship team worked with the maintenance team to change holes and verify everything for round 3. This is normal protocol for all of our Championships."

Earlier, Killeen had written on X: “Interesting scenario at the @PGA Club Professional Championship. Round 2 was delayed due to darkness. Before the restart the next morning they recut holes with guys marked on the green from the night before.”

Killeen then explained what that meant, writing: “All the sudden guys with a 5 footer would have 2 feet or the opposite. Has anyone ever heard of this? What is protocol just move it to a distance you think you had the night before?”

That inevitably led to questions over what had been decided, and Killeen, who missed the cut at the tournament, then offered more details, explaining that the new holes remained.

He continued: “There isn’t a rule in place. You leave the same holes. The putt doesn’t have the same break/grain etc. in this case you have to guess how far you have and replace. A lot of guys with shorter putts would measure distance I’d hope, but it’s not something you should have to worry about.”

Killeen then added: “It was noticeable if you had a putt closer to the hole makes zero difference from far away. Guys that noticed were able to move it to the approx distance from the night before but it was weird.”

The event saw PGA Director of Golf at Shooting Star of Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Ben Polland, take a three-shot lead into the final day. 

Michael Block, who caused a sensation at the 2023 PGA Championship thanks to his T15 that included a slam dunk hole-in-one, also competed and was one-over heading into the final round . However, thanks to his performance at Oak Hill, he has already secured his place at the 2024 edition of the Major.