The 10 Biggest Golf Controversies

Last week, Dustin Johnson gave his first interview since taking a leave of absence from golf to seek ‘professional help for personal challenges I have faced’. His decision to take a break from golf was mired in controversy, given the rumors that abounded with regards his alleged penchant for cocaine. Many reports surfaced suggesting he’d been suspended by the tour for failing a drug test, something stringently denied by both parties. Talking specifically about cocaine to Sports Illustrated, he said: “I did not have a problem. It’s just something I’m not going to get into. I have issues. But that’s not the issue.”

The Johnson suspension/leave of absence/cocaine addiction saga is one of golf’s ongoing controversies. So, while the dust settles on the Johnson interview, I’ve decided to look at 10 other rules gaffes, wrangles, disputes and contentious moments that have tarnished golf’s typically clean image over the years.

In no particular order…

1. Actual suspensions

With so much discussion focusing on Johnson, you might have missed an actual suspension that was given out last week. Bhavik Patel, who plays on the Web.com Tour (a subsidiary of the main circuit), was banned for a year for contravening the PGA Tour’s doping policy. “In an effort to overcome an injury I made a lapse of judgment,” he said. The only other player to have been suspended for use of performance-enhancing drugs was Doug Barren in 2009. Barren, who suffered from low testosterone, retuned two months early and was granted an exemption on the grounds of therapeutic use after a lawsuit.

2. 1958 Masters

Before April 1958, Arnold Palmer was a seven-time PGA Tour champion but miles away from forging a reputation as one of golf’s greats. That all changed at The Masters. In the final round, his tee shot on the par-3 12th pitched over the back of the green and plugged. The rules official with the group, Arthur Lacey, declared there were no grounds for relief and Palmer made a double bogey. But, dissatisfied with the ruling, The King dropped a second ball by his plug mark and made an up-and-down for a par. The event was reviewed on the 15th hole and it was deemed par was the correct score. Palmer went on to win The Masters – his first major – by a single shot.

3. 1999 Ryder Cup

Unfortunately, what was undoubtedly one of the finest comebacks in Ryder Cup history will always be overshadowed by a complete lack of respect from the American team. Trailing 10-6 heading into the Sunday singles – an unassailable deficit in the past – team USA played some inspired golf, but they still needed a half point from Justin Leonard’s match with Jose Maria Olazabal. After coming back from 4 down with just seven holes remaining, Leonard holed a tramliner on the 17th green. Players, wives, officials and even cameramen surged onto the putting surface and traipsed over Olzazabal’s line when the Spaniard still had a 25-footer for the half. The Americans went on to win 14.5 – 13.5.

4. 2000 Solheim Cup

During the Saturday fourballs at the 2000 Solheim Cup, Annika Sorenstam – paired with Janice Moodie - holed a 25-foot birdie chip in her match against Americans Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst. However, Sorenstam was marginally closer than the Americans, who demanded she play her shot again. They were technically within their rights, but derided from most quarters for their blatant lack of sportsmanship. 

5. Annika Sorenstam

Three years later, Sorenstam was involved in another newsworthy and divisive incident when she accepted an invitation to play in the PGA Tour’s Colonial Tournament. Vijay Singh, no stranger to controversy, threatened to withdraw from the tournament and said: “I don’t know what she’s doing out here, it’s ridiculous.” Scott Hoch added: “Most guys hope she plays well and that what comes out of this is that she realises she can’t compete against the men.” Phil Mickelson provided some balance, saying: “Guys who are having a tough time with this are thinking this is the men’s tour. It’s not. It’s the best tour for the best players.” Sorenstam wound up missing the cut, but the whole saga did nothing to further golf’s interests. 

6. Casey Martin

In 2001, Casey Martin’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour went all the way to the Supreme Court. The former Stanford golfer struggled to walk because of a debilitating leg injury, but wasn’t allowed to use a buggy because it breached the circuit’s rules. However, the Supreme Court ruled it contravened the Americans with Disabilities Act. He used his buggy at last year’s US Open, but missed the cut.

7. Anchored putter

In May 2013, the USGA and R&A announced a new rule prohibiting the use of anchored putting strokes – a hugely controversial issue that gathered momentum after Keegan Bradley won the 2011 US PGA Championship. While the majority of anchored-putter wielders accepted the change with good grace, a number announced plans to consult lawyers. Nothing has come of those threats as yet, and probably won’t, but there’s still time.

8. Fried chicken

In 1997, the opinionated Fuzzy Zoeller famously called Tiger Woods a ‘little girl’ and told him not to order fried chicken at the Masters Champions Dinner. That ugly topic reared its head again ahead of the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, when Sergio Garcia joked he’d invite Woods round for dinner at The Open and serve him fried chicken. He escaped punishment from the tour, though, and came across as genuinely remorseful at his apology press conference.

9. Zhang scorecards

Last year, the leader of the PGA Tour China, Xin-Jun Zhang, was suspended for six months for signing for a series of incorrect scorecards. The issue came to a head at the Lahai Open last June when his Australian Brett Drewitt claimed he hadn’t accounted for a stroke on his scorecard. Officials reviewed tape and disqualified Zhang. He was also DQd from the Cadillac Championship last September for the same reason.

10.  1968 Masters

Perhaps the most memorable scorecard error came at the 1968 Masters. Roberto de Vicenzo shot a final-round 65 to tie the lead and force an 18-hole play-off the following day. Or so he thought. His playing partner, Tommy Aaron, marked him down for a four on the par-4 17th, instead of a birdie three. Clearly caught up in all the post-round media fanfare, the Argentinian failed to notice and signed for an incorrect score before famously declaring: ‘what a stupid I am.’