Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton found themselves in a sticky situation at the Ryder Cup – and some of you might be wondering if they should have been penalised.
Did the European pair’s ball move when Hatton stepped on a twig as they considered what to do when in the trees on the right of the 7th hole at Bethpage Black?
Rahm had hit a wayward drive during the Friday morning foursomes and the ball was very close to a fallen branch.
That’s a loose impediment, which can be shifted under the rules, but risks a one-shot penalty if the ball moves.
As the duo were considering what to do, Hatton stepped on a nearby twig which appeared to touch the branch close to where the ball was resting.
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TV replays showed the ball appear to very slightly wobble and there was speculation about whether the Europeans might be penalised.
Hatton subsequently chose to leave the stick in place, nutted his approach to the green, and Europe won the hole to – at that stage – tie the match. It proved a pivotal point as Rahm and Hatton then dominated on their way to a 4&3 victory.
Officials looked at the branch incident and ruled there would be no penalty. This is why…
