Brooks Koepka, who’s in a three-way tie for the lead after Thursday’s first round on the Masters, was embroiled in a rules controversy that would have cost him a two-shot penalty.
Video showed Koepka’s caddie, Ricky Elliott mouthing the word “five” after his player hit a 5-iron onto the par-5, fifteenth green at Augusta National. It gave the impression to be mouthed within the direction of Brennan Little, Gary Woodland’s caddie.
If that were the case, it will be a rules breach and a two-shot penalty, as sharing information on clubs on the course is forbidden.
The Masters Tournament Committee looked into the matter and determined no rule was broken.
“Following the completion of Brooks Koepka’s round, the Committee questioned his caddie and others within the group a few possible incident on No. 15,” the committee said in an announcement. “All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested. Consequently, the Committee determined that there was no breach of the Rules.”
Golf Channel analysts Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee, who each previously played on the PGA Tour, said their must have been a penalty.
“It’s very obvious,” McGinley said on Golf Channel. “Anybody taking a look at those pictures, it’s very obvious what happens.
“It’s staggering that they denied it since the video evidence is there.”
McGinley claimed that it’s “common practice” for players and caddies to discreetly share information on club selection on the course.
Chamblee, who disagreed with McGinley that players commonly share intel on club selections, also said he thought a penalty must have been called.
“It looked to me that Ricky Elliot [Koepka’s caddie] was clearly taking a look at [Woodland’s caddie] when he said ‘five’. It was very obvious that he said ‘five.’ ”
Koepka, who’s tied for the lead with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland at 7-under, denied breaking any rule.
“Yeah, we checked out it once we got back in. [Woodland] and Butchie [his caddie] had no idea what we were hitting,” he told reporters after the round.
“They didn’t even know because — I do know that fact because GW asked me what we hit walking off, once we were walking down. In order that’s all I can offer you.”
