Europeans Defend New Rules Of Golf
A number of Europeans tweeted their support for the R&A, USGA and the new Rules
A number of Europeans tweeted their support for the R&A, USGA and the new Rules
Europeans Defend New Rules Of Golf
The new Rules of Golf haven't got off to the best of starts this year with controversial penalties on Tour and high profile players publicly slating them.
We've seen penalties for the new caddie alignment Rule with Haotong Li, Denny McCarthy and most recently Adam Schenk, as well as a penalty for Rickie Fowler dropping from shoulder height instead of knee height.
Justin Thomas has called the new Rules "terrible", Bryson DeChambeau called the knee height drop "slightly absurd", Rickie Fowler says that he believes the knee height dropping Rule will be changed, and Adam Scott said that golf had become a "laughing stock".
Related: 10 golf controversies of 2019
However, we have now seen some positive thoughts on the new Rules from some high-profile Europeans, with Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Matt Fitzpatrick all coming to their defence.
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.
2018 European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn wrote on Twitter, "Interesting that @RandA and @USGA are coming in for so much criticism from players and caddies. Players from all over the world was asked their opinions about which rules should change, so was the tour refs and officials. I for one think they listened!!"
David Howell replied about the caddie alignment Rule, saying that, "It’s a great rule change, the principle is correct, aim yourself with no help, I personally think that the rule should say simply just that. any player caddy combo that tries to break this rule by stealth would be cheating, end of career, reputation trashed. Problem solved?"
Matt Fitzpatrick also stuck up for golf's governing bodies, saying that he finds it "ridiculous" that the USGA and R&A "are getting so much abuse about these new rules."
"I find it ridiculous that the USGA and R&A are getting so much abuse about these new rules," he tweeted.
"The rule is there to help. The problem is the rules officials themselves giving out the penalty. It is their job to be fair and realise players are not being lined up not the organisations."
2020 Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington was another to tweet in defence of the USGA and R&A.
"In defence of @usga / @RandA. The rule on aligning up a player is a modification of an old rule, a caddie can’t stand directly behind a player as he’s hitting.This amendment being one of around 20 changes has come about with extensive input from our tournament referees and players."
What are you thoughts on the new Rules of golf? Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels
Expand 10 Golf Controversies Of 2019
It has been a controversial start to the…
Expand R&A Releases Statement On Caddie Alignment Issue
R&A Releases Statement On Caddie Alignment Issue
One rule in particular has caused plenty of…
Expand USGA Says “We Need To Talk” After Justin Thomas Rules Rant
USGA Says “We Need To Talk” After Justin Thomas Rules Rant
Adam Schenk's penalty at the Honda Classic made…
For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Basketball Superstar Caitlin Clark To Play Alongside 10-Time Major Winner Annika Sorenstam At LPGA Tour Pro-Am
The Indiana Fever sensation will tee it up alongside Sorenstam in the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican pro-am, while the pair will also be at the Women’s Leadership Summit
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Sees Tours 'Doing Their Own Thing For The Foreseeable Future' As Talks Over Future Of Men's Pro Game Continue
The four-time Major winner thinks there could be progress in the talks by the end of the year, but that it could be some time until the main circuits come back together
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman Published
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock Published