USGA Makes Horrible Decision, Golf Twitter Loses Its Collective Mind

Oh, man. How bad of a Sunday did the USGA have? (And all of this after they issued a ridiculous report about a week prior.)

Let’s relive the disaster via Twitter!

First, the USGA makes this announcement:

The USGA will review the video of No. 5 with Dustin Johnson immediately following his round. A determination will be made at that time.

— USGA (@USGA) June 19, 2016

For those unaware, Dustin Johnson’s ball rotated about a quarter-roll backwards while he was practicing his putting stroke on the fifth green.  He backed off the hole, called the referee and Lee Westward over, and it was ruled that he didn’t cause the ball to move and he should simply play it from where it lies.

Then, on the twelfth hole, USGA officials told DJ after reviewing video, he may be assessed a penalty stroke after all.

And then Twitter WENT OFF.

First, the Pros had their say:

This is ridiculous… No penalty whatsoever for DJ. Let the guy play without this crap in his head. Amateur hour from @USGA

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016

This isn't right for anyone on that golf course. If it was me I wouldn't hit another shot until this farce was rectified.

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016

No way DJ gets a penalty. Use some common sense @usga The greens are running 14 and are sloppier than Mount Everest

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016

This is so simple, yet the @usga is making it so convoluted. Only way ball can move backwards is if DJ grounded his putter. He didn't

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016

DJ should pull a Faldo and thank the @usga from the heart of his bottom

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 20, 2016

Lemme get this straight.. DJ doesn't address it. It's ruled that he didn't cause it to move. Now you tell him he may have? Now? This a joke?

— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) June 19, 2016

DJ took the high road to take that penalty. This ordeal cannot be overlooked because of a multiple shot victory

— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) June 20, 2016

.@JordanSpieth @McIlroyRory w/ you boys! The fact that the @usga thinks that DJ caused the ball to move is completely ridiculous! Laughable!

— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) June 19, 2016

https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34/status/744661218657472513

https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34/status/744662182621810688

Hi, I'd like to become a USGA official. How are your decision making skills? Terrible… You're in!!

— Marc Leishman (@marcleish) June 20, 2016

Looks like the @USGA can't/don't follow their own rules! Make it up as they go along! #Farcical #STP pic.twitter.com/e8sqEhm1fB

— Secret Tour Pro (@secrettourpro) June 20, 2016

And then the “rest of us” took over:

DJ says he didn't commit penalty.
Westwood agrees, without prompting.
Rules official says no foul.
No conclusive evidence.
USGA: Add 1.

— Steve Elling (@EllingYelling) June 20, 2016

USGA's Mike Davis trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together from " The DJ Ruling" https://t.co/fLNaeabfIc

— KIP HENLEY Blue Check Mark ☮️ (@KipHenley) June 20, 2016

The guy in charge of the @USGA Twitter handle right now pic.twitter.com/lasQ13WNyn

— Peter Uihlein (@PeterUihlein) June 19, 2016

And everyone’s favorite follow, @NoLayingUp, basically won Twitter:

New USGA director of rules pic.twitter.com/aFaQb1fN9R

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) June 20, 2016

What the USGA is willing to look into pic.twitter.com/kWXwDwgIPb

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) June 19, 2016

And finally, although it didn’t occur on Twitter, Brandel Chamblee got after the rules officials:

Chamblee confronts USGA rules officials over DJ

USGA rules officials Jeff Hall and Thomas Pagel explain the penalty assessed to Dustin Johnson in the final round of the 2016 U.S. Open.

Cover Photo via YouTube