Xander Schauffele called out for ‘abusing’ golf rule in wake of The Open win

Xander Schauffele called out for ‘abusing’ golf rule in wake of The Open win

Xander Schauffele has been accused of taking advantage of one of golf’s recent rule changes.

 

Xander Schauffele, the recent winner of The Open Championship, has found himself at the center of a controversy surrounding his use of a golf rule change. Fellow professional Eddie Pepperell has accused Schauffele of “abusing” the 2019 rule change that allows players to repair damage on the green, including spike marks.

 

The rule change in question was intended to allow players to repair damage on the green, including spike marks, ball-marks, indentations from a club or flagstick, and animal damage. However, Pepperell believes that Schauffele is taking advantage of this rule by frequently tapping down spike marks, even when they are not visible or do not appear to be affecting his putt.

 

Pepperell expressed his concerns about Schauffele’s actions on The Chipping Forecast, stating, “The only thing that I’ve got negatively to say about Xander Schauffele… is how often he just bangs down spike marks that simply cannot be there from inside three feet.” He went on to explain that he believes Schauffele is applying too much pressure when tapping down spike marks, which could potentially alter the surface of the green.

 

Pepperell was quick to clarify that he is not accusing Schauffele of cheating. Rather, he believes that Schauffele is exploiting a rule change that was not intended to be used in this manner. “I’m not accusing the guy of cheating,” Pepperell said. “And I’m also not saying that if he wasn’t doing that, he wouldn’t still be winning these tournaments. I think he would, but… you don’t see any other player as frequently as he does it.”

 

Pepperell’s comments suggest that Schauffele’s behavior is not an isolated incident, but rather a pattern of behavior that has been observed repeatedly. This has led to concerns that Schauffele is gaining an unfair advantage by exploiting the rule change.

 

Schauffele, who is currently ranked second in the world, has enjoyed a remarkable year, winning two major titles in just three months. However, this controversy has cast a shadow over his achievements, with some questioning whether his success is due in part to his exploitation of the rule change.

 

The issue has sparked a debate within the golf community, with some defending Schauffele’s actions as within the bounds of the rules, while others share Pepperell’s concerns about the exploitation of the rule change. As the discussion continues, one thing is clear: the spotlight is on Schauffele, and his actions will be closely watched in the coming months.