Penalty given for 34-second putt at PGA Championship.

When the Rule Book Ruins the Fun

Professional golfer Lee Hodges had a tough time at the ongoing PGA Championship, ending play on Saturday tied for 67th place with an ugly 10-over par. However, he did have a moment of virality when an otherwise innocuous par-saving putt turned into a meme-worthy stunner of a play. The putt took well over half a minute from the moment Hodges hit the ball to the moment it finally fell into the cup, but unfortunately, those pesky rules rained on Hodges’ brief parade.

The Rule Book Strikes Again

According to the United States Golf Association rule book, there is an entire section of rules governing what to do in a “ball overhanging hole” situation. Rule 13.3a states that “the player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and ten more seconds to wait to see whether the ball will fall into the hole.” However, “reasonable time” is not clear-cut, and Hodges’ putt took 34 seconds, which was deemed too long. Fellow golfer Jordan Spieth suggested the ball was still moving, but unfortunately, the rules accounted for Hodges’ specific circumstances, and he received a penalty stroke, taking him from a four to a five on the hole.

The Championship Continues

The PGA Championship continues through Sunday at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. Hodges likely won’t be competing to win it, but American Brooks Koepka is currently leading the pack at 6-under.

Key Takeaways:

• Lee Hodges had a tough time at the ongoing PGA Championship, ending play on Saturday tied for 67th place with an ugly 10-over par.
• Hodges had a moment of virality when an otherwise innocuous par-saving putt turned into a meme-worthy stunner of a play.
• The putt took well over half a minute from the moment Hodges hit the ball to the moment it finally fell into the cup, but unfortunately, those pesky rules rained on Hodges’ brief parade.
• Hodges received a penalty stroke, taking him from a four to a five on the hole.
• The PGA Championship continues through Sunday at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.
• American Brooks Koepka is currently leading the pack at 6-under.