In a groundbreaking moment for TGL, a rules controversy erupted during a match between New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club. The incident revolved around an improperly executed "Hammer" throw by The Bay's Wyndham Clark while Xander Schauffele was preparing for his shot.
Initially, officials ruled in favor of The Bay, forcing Schauffele to re-hit his bunker shot after a practice attempt. Unfortunately for Schauffele, his official shot failed to escape the bunker, leading to a loss for his team.
The match, held at the SoFi Center on Feb. 24, saw New York Golf Club lose 5-3 to The Bay in a dramatic first match of a doubleheader. Boston Common Golf later defeated New York 9-2 in the second match.
The controversy unfolded during a singles match on the 13th hole between Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg. With Schauffele facing a challenging bunker shot and Aberg poised for a makeable putt, Clark threw "The Hammer," a move that doubles the hole's point value. New York immediately declined it, initially awarding the hole to The Bay until officials reviewed the situation.
The rules officials overturned the decision, stating that "The Hammer" cannot be used while a player is standing over the ball. Schauffele, after declining the initial "Hammer," had to take his official shot from the bunker but left the ball in the sand, allowing The Bay to secure the hole.
Amidst the tension, Schauffele faced heckling from the green, hearing shouts of "The ball doesn't lie" as he struggled in the sand. Reflecting on the situation, Schauffele remarked, "It netted out terrible for us.
We were going to decline it anyway, and then I had such a bad shot that they didn't even have an opportunity to throw a 'Hammer.' It actually worked out worse, but maybe if I hit the shot a third time it would've been better."
Clark admitted the unusual nature of the sequence, noting his uncertainty when throwing "The Hammer," especially as on-course referee Derrick Stafford, with his extensive NBA experience, seemed to allow it. "It could've been a really controversial event," Clark commented.
Shane Lowry of The Bay added, "If he made that call in his NBA days, I'm not so sure the players would've been as nice," highlighting the unique dynamics of the situation. Fortunately, with no trophy at stake, the incident remained a memorable yet inconsequential episode in TGL history.