Open Championship controversy after caddie uses | Golf News

A possible guidelines dispute emerged at The Open Championship when chief Lucas Herbert’s caddie was seen utilizing what appeared like a rangefinder during the second spherical, though the matter was shortly resolved.

The LIV Golf participant sits on top of the leaderboard following an extraordinary second spherical at Royal Birkdale. He reached the flip in 28 strokes and was monitoring toward the bottom spherical in major championship historical past with a number of holes remaining – but on the 18th hit a boogie which meant he missed out on changing into first man in historical past to rating 61.

However, event officers scrutinized the scenario after his caddie, Nick Pugh, was noticed raising a visible system to his eye. While rangefinders are allowed in LIV Golf competitions, distance-measuring gear is strictly prohibited at The Open.

A first violation would carry a two-stroke penalty, while a second infraction would lead to disqualification. Pugh’s deployment of the instrument on the 14th gap was captured on digital camera by host broadcaster Sky Sports, prompting commentators to specific concern that Herbert may face sanctions.

An R&A official confirmed the system is a monocular without a battery that lacks the potential to measure distances, making it acceptable for use.

Herbert started the day at stage par but surged to the summit of the leaderboard with six birdies across his opening 9 holes. He added additional beneficial properties on 11 and 12. All he needed was to par the 18th, but missed a short put for historical past.

He walked ninto the clubhouse on -8 – holding a two shot lead over the next best.