Amid the chaos that rained down on the United States Golf Association for the lion’s share of the back nine on Sunday at the U.S. Open, one of the game’s foremost governing bodies alienated themselves from the very public they were created to protect.
By now, you’ve seen the controversial moment on the fifth green — if you haven’t, here’s our round up of the final round — when Dustin Johnson’s ball moved prior to him addressing it. As soon as it happened, Johnson brought in a rules official who signed off on Johnson’s insistence that he had not caused the ball to move. However, other USGA rules officials weren’t so sure and, after heading to the 18th tower with Joe Buck and the guys at Fox, made it pretty clear that DJ was going to be assessed a penalty.
The only problem? The guys on the course competing for the major championship didn’t have a full understanding of what was going on because the USGA didn’t have a full understanding of what was going on. Being the social media age, players who competed in the event and those who were watching from afar chimed in with their thoughts.
Tiger Woods
Some great golf by @DJohnsonPGA all week, strong way to finish overcoming that rules farce. Happy Father's Day to DJ and all of you.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 20, 2016
Rory McIlroy
This is ridiculous… No penalty whatsoever for DJ. Let the guy play without this crap in his head. Amateur hour from @USGA
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016
This isn't right for anyone on that golf course. If it was me I wouldn't hit another shot until this farce was rectified.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016
Take that @usga
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016
Jordan Spieth
Lemme get this straight.. DJ doesn't address it. It's ruled that he didn't cause it to move. Now you tell him he may have? Now? This a joke?
— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) June 19, 2016
DJ took the high road to take that penalty. This ordeal cannot be overlooked because of a multiple shot victory
— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) June 20, 2016
Rickie Fowler
.@JordanSpieth @McIlroyRory w/ you boys! The fact that the @usga thinks that DJ caused the ball to move is completely ridiculous! Laughable!
— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) June 19, 2016
Luke Donald
No way DJ gets a penalty. Use some common sense @usga The greens are running 14 and are sloppier than Mount Everest
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016
Have you seen how much these putts are breaking @usga, the green speed and slope caused the ball to move. #moveon
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016
This is so simple, yet the @usga is making it so convoluted. Only way ball can move backwards is if DJ grounded his putter. He didn't
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016
John Peterson
The guy is trying to win a US Open. And you mess with his head like this. Standard stuff from the @USGA. #terrible
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonLSU) June 19, 2016
The @USGA showing their true colors!!!! #finally
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonLSU) June 19, 2016
So you're gonna tell a guy w/o a major that's leading that he may not be leading after one of your white hairs already cleared him @USGA?!?
— John Peterson (@JohnPetersonLSU) June 19, 2016
Bud Cauley
that's absolutely ridiculous they would bring up to DJ the possibility of penalizing him after the round in the middle of his round
— Bud Cauley (@BudCauley) June 19, 2016
wether they penalize him or not (imo they absolutely should not) it's ridiculous the leader nor the rest of the field knows where they stand
— Bud Cauley (@BudCauley) June 19, 2016
Keegan Bradley
Wow @USGA wow.
— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) June 19, 2016
These are the guys who make our rules? #scary
— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) June 19, 2016
Brandt Snedker
Hey @USGA, it's impossible for DJ to cause the ball to move backwards!!!!!!! #commonsense
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) June 19, 2016
Greens are cut at 14 and are poa…
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) June 19, 2016
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