By Husna Muhdhar,
Japanese golfer, Hideki Matsuyama, was disqualified from the PGA Tour’s Memorial tournament on Thursday, June 2, after authorities discovered an illicit chemical on his 3-wood.
The 2021 Masters champion was issued his marching orders after it was discovered that white correction fluid was applied on the face of the club to aid center the ball.
Officials were made aware of the infraction after photographs of the club were shared on social media.
“Our committee became aware through some pictures that were posted that there may be a substance that has been painted on the face of one of Hideki’s clubs,” PGA Tour chief referee Steve Rintoul told AFP news.
“Unfortunately, when we found out about it, Hideki was playing the second hole.”
According to Rintoul, Matsuyama was asked if he was carrying the club and if he had used it. A non-conforming club can be carried in a golfer’s bag but not used.
Matsuyama, on the other hand, admitted to using the club off the first tee as the Muirfield Village tournament got underway.
“The damage was done,” Rintoul said. “One shot and it’s a disqualification.”
While tiny markings like a “Sharpie dot here and there” wouldn’t affect the ball’s flight, Rintoul claimed Matsuyama’s club had more whiteout than was allowed.
“It was actually quite thick on the face of the club,” Rintoul added.
According to Rintoul, modest markings such as a “Sharpie dot here and there” would not affect the ball’s flight, but the amount of whiteout on Matsuyama’s club surpassed the allowable amount.
“But when you start applying that much material, that can take spin off a ball or can affect the flight, that’s when they go to nonconforming.”
Hideki Matsuyama was the first-ever Japanese professional golfer to win a men’s major golf championship – the 2021 Masters Tournament.
