A master of the rules, or a manipulator of one?
In pro golf, rules violations seldom come from a place of ill intent. Oftentimes, it's a matter of misunderstanding or misrepresentation of those rules. Collin Morikawa had a run-in with the rule book in the opening round of the 2023 Masters.
During Thursday's Round 1, Morikawa had some squinting their eyes and scratching their heads as he appeared to move a ball a bit closer to the hole on a green, in a seemingly somewhat out-of-character (and out-of-context) move.
🚨 Potential rules violation by Collin Morikawa 👀 #TheMasters
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 6, 2023
pic.twitter.com/ggN4KmLTvC
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The video, though, doesn't show the entire situation that unfolded. In accordance with the rules, Morikawa moved his ball back to its original spot after the ball had moved, but the video only showed the last bit, making it seem like he moved the ball closer.
Went back and watched this:
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 6, 2023
As he addressed his ball on 6, and it looked like the ball moved and rolled back a few inches.
This looks like it was moving it back to its original position. https://t.co/QZWXjdOqci
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No. He marked and when he replaced the ball it rolled to a new spot. Once you mark, you own that spot, so he was simply replacing his ball to where he originally marked it.
— John Wood (@Johnwould) April 6, 2023
Context is king.
Morikawa sat 2-under through 12 holes at the Masters, so no harm, no foul in the supposed "rules violation." Don't expect him to lose a stroke, or two, or his place in Augusta for playing within the rules.
