SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby
No Result
View All Result
SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
Home Golf

No.1 Scheffler, No.3 Schauffele blast PGA over “mud balls”

Michael Taylor by Michael Taylor
May 16, 2025
in Golf
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
4
19
SHARES
241
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

US stars Xander Schauffele, left, and Scottie Scheffler were upset about mud balls at the PGA Championship that led to a double bogey for each after the PGA of America decided not to allow preferred lies despite days of rain at Quail Hollow. ©AFP

Charlotte (AFP) – Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele blasted PGA Championship rules preventing players from cleaning balls that land on the fairway at rain-soaked Quail Hollow on Thursday after struggling through their opening rounds. In the feature group of the world’s three top-ranked players, Scheffler battled to a two-under par 69, third-ranked Schauffele fired a 72, and second-ranked Rory McIlroy shot a 74 in his first major round after winning last month’s Masters.

The PGA of America said Wednesday it would not use preferred lies to allow players to lift, clean, and place balls despite five inches of rain dumped on the course in recent days. So when mud adhered to the balls of Scheffler and Schauffele in the fairway at the par-four 16th hole and each man’s approach found a watery grave on the way to double bogey, they were unhappy.

Related news

Sweden’s Maja Stark wins 80th US Women’s Open

June 3, 2025
341

Sweden’s Stark grabs one-shot lead at US Women’s Open

June 2, 2025
381

No.1 Scheffler holds off Griffin to defend PGA Memorial title

June 1, 2025
909

Taylor, Griffin share lead at PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament

June 1, 2025
383

Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women’s Open lead

June 1, 2025
1.1k

Former champ Kim in six-way tie for US Women’s Open lead

May 31, 2025
494

“Had a ridiculous mud ball there on 16 with Scottie. We were in the middle of the fairway and we had to aim right of the grandstands,” said Schauffele. “I aimed right of the bunker and it whipped in the water and Scottie whipped it in the water as well,” Schauffele added. “A lot of guys are dealing with it, but it’s just unfortunate to be hitting good shots and to pay them off that way. It’s kind of stupid.”

Scheffler, who said he was not surprised at the preferred lies decision, suffered his first career bogey in the first round at a major. “It’s frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it’s going to go,” Scheffler said. “I understand it’s part of the game, but there’s nothing more frustrating for a player — you spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball — and due to a rules decision all of a sudden you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes. But I don’t make the rules. I just have to deal with the consequences of those rules. I did a good job of battling back and not letting a bad break like that, which cost me a couple shots, get to me.”

McIlroy, who never found the 16th fairway, made double bogey as well.

– ‘Going to get worse’ –

Reigning British Open and PGA champion Schauffele had dire predictions for the next three days. “The mud balls are going to get worse as the place dries up,” said Schauffele. “They’re going to get in that ‘perfect cake zone’ to where it’s kind of muddy underneath and then picking up mud on the way through.” Scheffler agreed, saying, “It’s going to be tough for those fairways to firm up too much with the amount of rain we got.”

Schauffele said they were far from the only golfers mad about the mud. “All of us. I’m not the only guy. I’m just in front of the camera. I wouldn’t want to go in the locker room because I’m sure a lot of guys aren’t super happy with the conditions there,” Schauffele said. “It sucks that you’re kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway. It wasn’t just one hole either. I got lucky three or four holes in a row where it ended up sort of on the top of my ball and then you’re kind of guessing how much spin it’s going to take off,” Schauffele said. “Besides that shot on 16, if I take that away, was able to hit the green and two-putt, I shot one-under and probably would have been a decent start to the tournament.”

Scheffler noted differences between links golf and US courses, saying US fairways get more mud balls because of the turf. “There’s going to be a lot of mud on the ball and that’s just part of it,” he said. “I don’t think hitting the ball in the middle of the fairway you should get punished. In my opinion, maybe the ball today should have been played up.”

© 2024 AFP

Tags: PGAPGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler
Share8Tweet5Share
Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor

Sport journalist known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary. Renowned for his passionate storytelling and deep understanding of the games he covers, Michael continues to captivate audiences with his engaging style.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
4 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Follow Us

Popular News

  • Cruz Azul thrash Vancouver Whitecaps to win CONCACAF Champions Cup 

    120 shares
    Share 48 Tweet 30
  • Pacers beat Knicks to set up NBA Finals clash with Thunder

    32 shares
    Share 13 Tweet 8
  • Jefferson-Wooden scorches to 100m win at Grand Slam Track meet

    37 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 9
  • Kirkwood holds off Ferrucci to grab second IndyCar win of 2025

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women’s Open lead

    89 shares
    Share 36 Tweet 22
SportBeep.com

Welcome to SportBeep, your ultimate destination for all things sports! If you're passionate about the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, MLB, or any other sport, you're in the right place. Here, you'll find the latest news, in-depth analyses, and commentary on the most important sporting events and personalities from around the world.

Pages

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

News

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Golf

Network

  • Coolinarco.com
  • CasualSelf.com
  • Fit.CasualSelf.com
  • Sport.CasualSelf.com
  • MachinaSphere.com
  • EconomyLens.com
  • MagnifyPost.com
  • TodayAiNews.com
  • VideosArena.com

© 2024 SportBeep ~ Top Sports News from around the world!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby

© 2024 SportBeep.com - Best Sport News