Third round Masters leader Scottie Scheffler took an unplayable lie relief and one shot penalty Saturday en route to a 71. He leads by three heading into the final round.
Several social media users took issue parts of the seven-minute drop situation, including what ball Scheffler was using and what was found, the two-club length relief and his clearing of some pine needles. A club spokesman confirmed that the Rules Committee has reviewed the drop and has no concerns with how it was handled by Scheffler or official Kevin Feeney of the DP World Tour.
After reviewing the Featured Group coverage and screen grabs of the ball resting under the Holly, the number looks like a 6 and a 7 depending on when the video is paused and the quality of the video.
But one things is clear: Scheffler calls out to the forecaddies to be looking for a Titleist 7. The forecaddie is heard definitively calling out that he has located a Titleist 7
Also of concern to several viewers was Scheffler’s two-club length drop. Note in this first image the ball and referee Feeney pointing to a spot away from the ball:
Image two shows Scheffler taking the first of two club lengths from the spot, however as the third image shows, the butt end of the club, discernible in the leaves and pine needles, is not at the ball. The Rules of Golf say two club lengths from the ball, but Scheffler clearly is seen following the guidance of the official who was likely given the closest approximation possible due to the extensive undergrowth.
