Rory McIlroy endured a grilling from Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland as their first round at The Players descended into a rules drama.
The Northern Irishman found the water from the tee at the par-4 7th hole, his 16th of the day, and his subsequent drop led to a lengthy debate between the trio – much of which was picked up by TV cameras.
McIlroy’s tee shot pitched before being submerged, and the players were trying to work out whether it had bounced above or below the red paint that marked the penalty area.
That would determine where McIlroy could take penalty area relief and TV commentators estimated the difference between the two spots could have been as much as 250 yards.
It led to some questioning between the players as to whether the ball had crossed where McIlroy dropped.
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In the exchange, McIlroy said: “It bounced into the water but we’re just trying to make sure it was above the red line. I’m pretty comfortable I saw it above the red line.”
Hovland replied: “I thought it was really close. I can’t say either way.”
Spieth later said: “Everyone that I’m hearing that had eyes on it, which again is not what matters, is saying they’re 100% certain it landed below the line.”
McIlroy replied: “Who are you talking about?”
And his caddie Harry Diamond added: “Who’s everybody?”
Spieth said: “TV. They’re saying with their eyes, they didn’t see it on camera. They’re saying what they saw. But again, it doesn’t mean anything.”
With a rules official involved, McIlroy insisted he wanted to do the right thing and Spieth added: “I’m comfortable it crossed some land. I don’t know where it actually pitched. I have no idea.”
McIlroy replied: “I agree. I’m pretty certain it did pitch above,” before adding: “I would say I’m dropping it slightly back of where the ball kicked in.”
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The four-time major winner eventually played on, double bogeying the hole as he finished with a 7-under 65 that tied him for the early first round lead with Xander Schauffele.
Rory McIlroy drop drama: What do the Rules of Golf say?
McIlroy took penalty area relief under Rule 17.1d. It was a red penalty area and he took two club length lateral relief.
The position the ball crosses the water is crucially important because the reference point for taking relief is “the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area”.
If the ball had last crossed that edge further back, which appeared to be what Spieth and Hovland were asking, it would have been that position which formed the reference point where McIlroy would then have to drop.
What did McIlroy say?
Speaking to reporters after his round, McIlroy said: “I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I was pretty sure my ball crossed where I was dropping it.
“It’s so hard, right, because there was no TV evidence. I was adamant.
“If anything I was being conservative with it. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to protect ourselves, and protect the field as well.
“I wouldn’t say it was needless. I think he was just trying to make sure that what happened was the right thing.”
He added: “I was starting to doubt myself a little bit. Did I actually see what I thought I saw? I was adamant that I saw it bounce above the red line, but then when someone comes in and says, ‘Well, someone thought that it didn’t,’ then it just puts some doubt in your mind.
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“It’s up to you to be comfortable enough with your decision that you did see what you saw, I guess. I was comfortable, and was just making sure that Jordan and Viktor were comfortable, too.’’
Hovland and Spieth didn’t do any post-round interviews, but asked if his playing partners were OK with the outcome, McIlroy continued: “I think so, yeah. I’m comfortable. I think that’s the most important thing.
“I feel like I’m one of the most conscientious golfers out here, so if I feel like I’ve done something wrong, it’ll play on my conscience for the rest of the tournament.
“I’m a big believer in karma and if you do something wrong, I feel like it’s going to come around and bite you at some point.
“I obviously don’t try to do anything wrong out there and play by the rules and do the right thing.”
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