Michael Brennan made headlines for winning in his first PGA Tour start just three months ago. Fast-forward to this week, and he’s in the news for different reasons.
Brennan, 23, was disqualified following the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Thursday. In a brief statement, the PGA Tour said the disqualification was “for a breach of Model Local Rule G-11; use of non-permitted green-reading materials.”
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Model Local Rule G-11 went into effect in 2022 and covers course-mapping features and green-contour displays, as well as “Committee Approved” yardage books.
“During a round, the player may use only the yardage book(s) approved by the Committee,” the rule states. “This restriction also applies to any other maps of the course, including hole-location sheets. Additional restrictions apply to handwritten notes and any other materials used by the player that could help read the line of play on the putting green.”
A memo to the Tour announcing the rule in 2021 said the purpose was to “return to a position where players and caddies use only their skill, judgment and feel along with any information gained through experience, preparation and practice to read the line of play on the putting green.”
The Tour did not clarify on the type of breach and has yet to respond to GOLF.com’s request for comment.
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Brennan opened the Farmers with a two-under 70 on the North Course and was tied for 55th before the DQ. The PGA Tour rookie started his season with a missed cut at the Sony Open and tied for 56th at the American Express last week.
Back in October, Brennan received a sponsor’s exemption to the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort, and in his first PGA Tour start as a professional, he won by four, allowing him to skip the Korn Ferry Tour and earn a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
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