PGA Tour makes Zurich Classic rule change after | Golf News

The PGA Tour is set to introduce a contentious rule adjustment after extreme climate briefly suspended play at the 2026 Zurich Classic.

On Saturday, intense rainstorms over TPC Louisiana in New Orleans pressured a 15-minute delay to the event’s third spherical. The day before, Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry surprisingly missed the cut despite carding a six-under 66 and three-under 69 across the opening two rounds, respectively.

Weather forecasts supplied little optimism, with 28 km/h wind gusts and a 55% probability of rain anticipated throughout the afternoon. Given the difficult situations, PGA Tour officers confirmed that most popular lies could be enforced during the third spherical. It comes as Greg Norman names Rory McIlroy want as he discusses their variations

Consequently, gamers are permitted to elevate, clean and place their balls within a short distance on carefully mown areas, moderately than being required to play from where their ball initially lands.

Heavy rainfall often causes fairways to turn into oversaturated, ensuing in balls plugging into the turf or accumulating vital quantities of mud. This undesirable particles can then alter the ball’s flight path, compromising gamers’ pictures regardless of the standard of their strike.

Preferred lies beforehand sparked appreciable debate in the golf group at the 2025 PGA Championship, when persistent rainfall throughout the week left Quail Hollow completely waterlogged. Despite this, the Tour declined to implement the rule, asserting at the time: “We do not plan to play preferred lies. The playing surfaces are outstanding and are drying by the hour. We are mowing the fairways this evening.

“We are wanting ahead to an thrilling opening spherical to the 107th PGA Championship.”

Players quickly voiced their displeasure with the ruling, as Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele both suffered from mud balls after dragging their approach shots into the drink on the 16th hole.

“It’s one of those offers where it is irritating to hit the ball in the center of the golf green and get mud on it and have no concept where it is going to go,” Scheffler said. “I perceive it is half of the sport, but there’s nothing more irritating for a participant.

“You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball, and due to a rules decision all of a sudden you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes. But I don’t make the rules. I just have to deal with the consequences of those rules.

“I did a good job of battling back today and not letting a dangerous break like that, which value me a couple pictures, get to me. Did a good job battling after that and posting a first rate rating.”

Schauffele voiced a comparable view, adding: “It is what it’s, and a lot of guys are dealing with it, but it is just unlucky to be hitting good pictures and to pay them off that means. It’s variety of silly.

“I’m not the only guy. I’m just in front of the camera. I wouldn’t want to go in the locker room because I’m sure a lot of guys aren’t super happy with sort of the conditions there. I feel like the grass is so good, there is no real advantage to cleaning your ball in the fairway. The course is completely tipped out. It sucks that you’re kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway.”