‘Absolutely ridiculous’ – Golf fans rage at Scottie Scheffler ruling after Bryson DeChambeau controversy

Scottie Scheffler was the beneficiary of an unpopular ruling despite losing his ball during his final round of The Open Championship.

The world No.1 saw his second shot land in a hospitality tent, 100 yards off-line, as he came down the 17th hole at Royal Birkdale while still in contention on Sunday.

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After playing a provisional ball, Scheffler was left staring at a huge score, before getting an almighty break.

The defending champion was given free relief under the R&A’s ‘TIO’ rules, allowing him to drop back in play with no penalty.

He would go on to make birdie, although a bogey at the last ended his chances of keeping the Claret Jug.

Rules have become a big talking point at the 154th edition of The Open after Bryson DeChambeau was slapped with a two-shot penalty by rules officials.

DeChambeau was penalised after his second round on Friday for improving the line of his backswing on the fifth hole.

Despite initially threatening not to continue at the tournament, he has since participated across the weekend.

Scheffler, on the other hand, found the rules in his favour as hospitality tents are classed as Temporary Immovable Obstructions (TIO).

If a player’s ball lands in an area deemed to be TIO, they do not need to find the ball and are allowed to take a free drop based on point of entry and line of sight.

It meant Scheffler got the benefit of a decent lay-up despite hitting his original shot significantly off-line.

The rule has become a point of contention for golf fans, many of whom have grown strongly opposed to it over the years.

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Some believe hospitality tents, grandstands and other tournament infrastructure are so visible to the players that they should be considered part of the test, rather than backboards.

However, their anger is purely aimed at the rule itself rather than Scheffler’s use of the ruling, which is completely within his rights.

One viewer wrote on social media: “I’m a huge fan of Scottie Scheffler

“But getting relief on 17 after completely hitting it off-line and losing his ball is absolutely ridiculous and something that should not have been rewarded

“TIO is so broken in men’s professional golf.”

Another said: “A golf ball was not found and a player got a free drop?! Absolutely terrible look for the game of golf.”

Meanwhile, one observer suggested: “In my opinion the only way to solve these ridiculous TIO drops we continue to see in professional golf is to establish in course OB.

“If you’re behind a hospitality tent like that just mark it as OB. The Royal Birkdale member that hits it where Scottie Scheffler did is making 7.”

PGA Tour star reacts

The frustrations even extend to current players, with Michael Kim taking to social media following the incident.

Kim missed the cut after ending the first two rounds on five-over par.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Wow even I’m dumbfounded by that TIO relief from Scottie.”

Scheffler had been aiming to win his fifth major championship this weekend after his triumph at Royal Portrush a year ago.

Another victory at Royal Birkdale would have also seen Scheffler become the first player to win The Open in consecutive years since Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008.