Hideki Matsuyama’s $3.6M win controversy as PGA Tour officials slammed
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Hideki Matsuyama won $3.6 million at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but mid-round rules drama nearly derailed him after officials questioned a potential penalty on whole 7. Hideki Matsuyama captured headlines and $3.6 million at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, but not without controversy. Midway through the final round, PGA Tour officials approached him to question a potential rules violation, sparking criticism over timing and impact. It came days after Matsuyama and his Caddy were robbed in London with their passports stolen. Matsyama, who recently sparked Caddy confusion after a decision made by Colin Morawa, held a commanding fiveshot lead heading to the 12th T after crafting a birdie on the 11th. That’s when chief referee Gary Young approached him, citing a possible breach of rule 8.1, which forbids improving conditions affecting his stroke. The issue stemmed from a pitch mark Matsuyama had repaired and stepped on earlier at the par47th. The mark was near but not on his line of play. After checking multiple video angles, officials concluded the mark lay about 3 ft from his intended line, meaning no penalty was warranted. Young defended the approach. A couple of the video angles showed that it was close, close enough to have to have that conversation with him. And unfortunately, we had to do it mid round with him, which is never comforting, going out and talking to a player, but it could affect his strategy for the rest of the round if he was going to get a two-stroke penalty. Still, the interruption appeared to disrupt his rhythm. Over the next four holes, he went four over par, surrendering his lead. Bogeied 12, water at 14, double bogeied 15.
