“This is outrageous…absolute disgrace” – Matt Fitzpatrick & Scottie Scheffler lash out at PGA rules official at the BMW Championship

BMW Championship – Final Round – Source: Getty
Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick at the BMW Championship (IMAGE: Getty)
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The final round of the 2024 BMW Championship is underway, with Matt Fitzpatrick tied for 27th place with holes still left to be played at the Castle Pines Golf Club.

The par five eighth hole saw the PGA Tour star run into an argument with the rules officials.

On this hole, Fitzpatrick appealed for a change of club due to a crack on the face of his driver. However, rule G-9 under the USGA prohibits the replacement of a club solely because of a crack. With golf being considered a game of precision, the 29-year-old was denied the appeal due to a lack of “significant damage” to the club.

Matt Fitzpatrick was not the only one that was left disappointed by the ruling. His playing partner for the day, Scottie Scheffler, was also fuming. Frustrated by the rules official’s comment on there not being “significant damage” here’s what Fitzpatrick had to say in response:

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“This is outrageous, it’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve literally just watched a ball do a completely different thing from the whole morning. It couldn’t be more obvious.”
While the PGA Tour star’s pleas weren’t being heard out, Scheffler stepped in to aid his playing partner. Here’s a look into the conversation:

Matt Fitzpatrick: “It’s caved in. There’s an obvious crack there that’s causing a defect of ball flight.”
Rules Official: “We have said no.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “So I’m going to have to use 3-wood for the rest of the day? That’s what you’re telling me?”
Rules Official: “I’m going to talk to Steven who is the chief referee, and I’ll meet you on the tee.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “This is outrageous, it’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve literally just watched a ball do a completely different thing from the whole morning. It couldn’t be more obvious.”
Rules Official: “But that’s not part of the local rule, to be able to change the driver.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “Yeah I understand the rule, but at the end of the day, it’s your opinion. It’s opinion, not fact.”
Rules Official: “But the local rule says ‘significant damage’.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “But again, that’s your opinion of that. The fact is there is literally a crack in the driver that is causing the ball to fly funny. That’s a fact.”
Scottie Scheffler: “You can feel the crack. The damage to the club is making the club not perform.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “You can’t deny that.”
Scottie Scheffler: “It’s been damaged throughout the course of play. That’s the first shot offline he’s hit all day and it carried about 80 yards shorter.”
Matt Fitzpatrick: “It’s an absolute joke. I will make sure something is done after the round because it’s a joke. It’s the most obvious crack I’ve ever seen.”
Several fans and players, including Scheffler, sympathized with the Englishman after the ruling. Following the decision, Fitzpatrick went on to play with his three wood off the tee for the rest of the round.

Will Matt Fitzpatrick play the 2024 Tour Championship?
With the 2024 BMW Championship almost over, players and fans are excited for what’s in store on the PGA Tour next week. The final event of the FedEx Playoffs series, the Tour Championship, is set to take place in Georgia.

Fitzpatrick had headed into the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club ranked 36th on the FedEx Cup Rankings. With only the top 30 making it through to the final Tour Championship, he needs to put up a big performance. However, following the issues with his club, he is projected to finish outside the top 30 according to the PGA Tour.

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Edited by Rupin Kale