Hideki Matsuyama was disqualified from a PGA Tour event for the first time in his career on Thursday after illegal markings were discovered on the face of his club.
The 2021 Masters champion was three-over-par after passing the ninth hole of the Memorial Tournament when he was told his tournament was over. Organisers said images of Matsuyama's club face were shared online, and it was only after he had used it on the first tee that they learnt of the offence.
"Unfortunately our committee learned right after Hideki had teed off that he may be carrying a club that would be non-conforming," said PGA Tour senior tournament director Steve Rintoul on Thursday. "There is a substance that has been applied to the face by a gentleman that works on Hideki's clubs.
