Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you confused as to why Hideki Matsuyama was DQ’d from The Memorial Tournament this week? We’re here to help.
The Memorial Tournament tends to be one of the more fun stops along the PGA Tour each year. The mid-season outing at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio not only gives the Tour a chance to honor Jack Nicklaus—who founded the tournament and designed the course—but it often leads to some pretty intense competition as far as non-major events go.
It ended up being a memorable stop for 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama for far different reasons this year.
The 30-year-old from Japan found himself disqualified before he even reached the back nine and it was all over something he likely he didn’t do himself.
Officially, Matsuyama (+3000 to win The Memorial at Tipico Sportsbook) violated rule 4.1a as one club had a marking on it with a substance that was applied just a bit too thick and could impact the flight of the ball. Those markings were reportedly applied by someone working with Matsuyama. That wouldn’t have been a problem as long as Hideki didn’t actually use the club, but Tour officials didn’t get the message to him in time.
Chief Referee Steve Rintoul explains the full context behind Matsuyama's DQ. pic.twitter.com/6Oio4BhhpV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 2, 2022
Hideki Matsuyama gets DQ’d for a marking on the face of his fairway wood.
The 📸 🐐 @gdm43pga managed to snap this one of Hideki’s at Muirfield. Gotta assume the white areas, which were likely meant to frame the face and center, caused the DQ. Wild stuff. pic.twitter.com/Ek4Oj1xeH9
— Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) June 2, 2022
The look of confusion on Matsuyama’s face is just tough to see. Especially after how he battled during the front nine—that includes one of luckiest bounces we’ll see all weekend.
Matsuyama was just barely saved from landing back-to-back shots into the water after his ball rolled onto a narrow bridge instead of falling back into the hazard. He made the turn at three-over par only to be informed he could no longer continue.
It sure seems like there should be a better way to let a golfer know he might be using a prohibited club, but that won’t help Matsuyama at this point.
This is the same tournament Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from after taking a six-stroke lead through three rounds last year due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Rahm came back to win the U.S. Open in his next tournament after getting cleared to play so maybe there’s some good karma awaiting Matsuyama later this month.
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