Paul McGinley has insisted it was "staggering" Masters co-leader Brooks Koepka denied his Northern Irish caddie gave advice to his playing partner – and subsequently avoided a two-shot penalty.
Television footage appeared to show Ricky Elliott saying: “Five” to Gary Woodland’s bagman after the former world No.1 and current LIV Golf rebel hit a 5-iron onto the 15th green. However, Rule 10-2a forbids any player giving or asking for advice from anyone but his own caddie. The rule also applies to the player’s caddie, which carries an identical two-stroke penalty.
And the tournament officials launched an investigation in the incident but quickly cleared the four-time major winner’s bagman Elliott. The American was adamant no advice had been given to Woodland or his caddie Brennan Little. But former Ryder Cup captain McGinley was simply not having it, reports the Mirror.
The Irishman told the Golf Channel: “It is very obvious. It is staggering they have denied it. The video evidence is there, whether you like it or not. It is a breach of the rules. It is common practice. It is not always so blatant. The evidence is overwhelming.”
Fellow analyst Brandel Chamblee added: “It looked to me he was looking at Brennan Little saying: “Five’. It is giving advice. The rules are there to protect the integrity of the competition. It is obviously a violation of the rules.”
LIV Golf star Koepka birdied the 15th hole on his way to an opening 65 to share the lead with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Asked about the incident, the Floridian said: “Yeah, we looked at it when we got back in. GW (Woodland) and Butchie (Little) had no idea what we were hitting. I know that fact because GW asked me what we hit walking off, when we were walking down. So that's all I can give you.”
Caddies sometimes give club selection choices to TV staff on the course who relay the information to commentators. A Masters statement said: “Following the completion of Brooks Koepka’s round, the Committee questioned his caddie and others in the group about a possible incident on No. 15. All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested. Consequently, the Committee determined that there was no breach of the Rules."
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