Was Matsuyama’s DQ a Bad Look For the PGA TOUR?

Hideki Matsuyama was DQ’d yesterday at the Memorial, due to a marking on the face of his 3 wood. He is one of golf’s good guys, unassuming, and physically gifted to the point where the ball makes a different sound when he hits it.

This Thursday’s ruling at the Memorial may carry more significance than a regular accidental indiscretion. It feels like exactly the sort of thing the PGA tour does not need right now, a finicky rule that causes a valued player like Matsuyama to pack his bags, heading home after the first disqualification of his career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hideki Matsuyama (@hidekimatsuyama1)

One would assume that the rules of golf will likely stay the same throughout the LIV events, meaning that irrespective of the event, one cannot paint their golf clubs (exploiting Rule 4.a. (3) for the true golf lovers among us). However, there is added pressure on PGA Tour rules officials to get it right, as each decision against a player is being put under the microscope.

When the prospect of a rival tour is being dangled in front of them by Greg Norman and his Saudi-backed Tour, players have leverage. Sergio Garcia threatened officials with his disappearance from the PGA Tour a couple of weeks ago, stating another example where players aren’t looked after. Garcia’s petulance is officially boring, his tantrums and threats mean we are glad to see the back of him for now. Over forty years old and still swearing, throwing clubs, and not winning tournaments.

Hopefully, the LIV event has some rules officials that make him feel more valued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sergio Garcia (@thesergiogarcia)

The RBC promptly dropped both DJ and Graeme McDowell for their decisions to play in London next week, wishing them luck through gritted teeth. Golf tournaments are better if Dustin Johnson plays. He’s a fierce competitor and a talented athlete, and what he lacks in vocabulary, he makes up for in ball speed. His decision to choose the first LIV event in London over the RBC Canadian Open has sent murmurs through the golfing world. His name carries weight, adding credibility to Greg Norman’s pitch for the rival tour.

In a time of tension where the players are being pulled in opposite directions, both camps will do all they can to sweeten the pot for their independent contractors. It is like observing two opposing political campaigns, one will do all it can to explain why the other is not fit for the job. While the PGA Tour is treading on eggshells, the LIV team is making omelette.

These minor ruling indiscretions like that of Matsuyama and his three-wood are not what Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour camp want to see. And in a time when the PGA is experiencing such competition, what they do need, is players coming forward and saying why they want to stay on the PGA Tour.

Legacy is a good answer. But perhaps more is required. If I was on the PGA Tour media team, I’d be searching for any clips of players saying how nice the course was, how well it has been set up, how smoothly the event was organized, or how they’re excited to return to compete again the following year. Promote clips of Corey Conners explaining what an honor it would be to win on home soil next week.  Caddies sharing stories of their excellent hospitality, interviews where players showed real grit and emotion. The PGA Tour needs to advertise why their valued players want to play, not just why they don’t want to go.

Cover Image Via NewsWWC