Golf
Tour pro loses his rag (!) with rules officials at Omega European Masters
It’s fair to say DP World Tour pro Jordan Smith wasn’t happy after the third round of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
Although Smith was hit with a two-shot penalty, it was actually the placement of pins that rubbed the Englishman the wrong way given the blustery conditions at Crans-sur-Sierre.
Smith began the day with hopes of keeping himself in contention after rounds of 66 and 65.
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But he dropped down the leaderboard in dramatic fashion with a third round of 7-over 77 that included a quadruple bogey, four bogeys and a double bogey.
“A day to forget,” Smith, 31, wrote on X after his round.
“But a day for the DP World Tour refs to forget.
“The quickest these greens have ever been by far but they still decide to use the same pins as old plus with high winds today.
“Even with the perfect conditions yesterday a few of the pins were ridiculous.”
DP World Tour winner Ewen Ferguson was inclined to agree and posted a handshake emoji in response.
After 54 holes, England’s Matt Wallace retained his overnight four-shot lead with a 3-over 73.
Wallace is searching for his first win in six years.
Why was Smith given a two-shot penalty?
Disaster struck on the 12th hole for Smith.
His ball landed in a penalty area and when he dropped his ball, it came to rest outside the relief area.
Per Rule 14.2, Smith was given the chance to drop the ball in the right way a second time.
But again, his ball came to rest in the penalty area.
Then he took his shot.
That constituted a breach of the rule.
Smith was later handed a two-shot penalty, meaning his disastrous double-bogey turned into a quad!
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