Ryder Cup rival spots ‘spirit level’ rule break that leaves major champ mad with official
The Ryder Cup rival has discovered a “mental level” violation that infuriates the major champion in official .
Collin Morikawa and his caddy were caught breaking the rules at last week’s Hero World Challenge, a move that was noticed by his keen-eyed Ryder Cup rival Matt Fitzpatrick.
A week later, the American caddy used a spirit level on the practice green and made handwritten notes in his yardage book.
Morikawa received a two-stroke penalty before Sunday’s final, but was unfazed by the decision.
Before Sunday’s game, Morikawa’s caddy, Jonathan Jakovac, took out a spirit level on the practice range and determined the two-time major champion’s reading numbers.
The pair did not break any rules, but the decision to use that read on his fourth hole of Saturday’s third round ensured the former All England champion added his two strokes to his score .
It was Ryder Cup rival and playing partner Fitzpatrick who alerted PGA Tour officials to the attack after overhearing Morikawa and Jakovac’s conversation.
According to the Guardian, Tour umpire Stephen Cox said: “I met with the caddy to see if there was an infringement.
” “After reviewing the Yardage Book documentation and creating a putting system/table, which in itself is not necessarily against the rules, here’s how you could take this information and create this table.
” That’s the reason for this rule.
” Morikawa was unimpressed with the penalty and Cox’s handling of the situation when he told the American of the penalty during the fourth round warm-up.
“It was our understanding that it was okay to use a spirit level on the practice green.
” Watch the putt fall apart and write it down.
“Obviously not,” he said.
“Steven told JJ this morning that this is all a gray area.
Why is there a gray area?
Rules shouldn’t have gray areas, right?
That’s why we have rules.
.I was a little mad at Stephen.
He told us to meet in the locker room.
“I waited there for about five minutes, but he didn’t show up.
He was warming up.
If you want to break the news, I think you should show up on time.
” Fitzpatrick himself said in the report.
He admitted that there was no malicious intent behind the rule violation and that it was more of a curiosity, as he had previously been informed not to speak.
You will be able to use a similar reading technique called AimPoint.I wish I had used Aimpoint earlier this year,'' insisted the British player. He said he was sure I couldn't write down the numbers or use the AimPoint numbers. So I didn't do it.
And it obviously happened yesterday, so I asked Coxy to explain the situation.Since I asked the question, I asked Coxy to explain the situation.
Since I asked the question, what happened?
Please let me know if you’re there.
” That’s all.
It’s not personal.
I wanted to know, whether it was Tiger Woods or whoever, because they would have used it earlier this year.
”