And a LIV Golf expert asked three times how that could be.
In the end, Koepka got a par on the 428-yard, par-4 15th hole at Sentosa Golf Club during the first round of the LIV event in Singapore on Friday. However, the way he got a par is interesting. There was some relief because there were tents and “port-a-loos,” and there was a drop of about “200 club lengths” from where his ball fell. There was also some doubt.
First, on his 13th hole, Koepka hit his tee shot to the right and into a group of trees. He and his playing partners, Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia, had started on the 3rd hole because it was a shotgun start. Was a shot fired? Possibly. (See photo above.) Koepka and his caddie, Ricky Elliott, thought they had a line to the green from where they were in the trees, but it was blocked by the tents and toilets from the nearby “Fan Village.” They fought for temporary relief from an obstacle that couldn’t be moved.
In this case, if it were allowed, Koepka could drop to the right of the village and possibly all the way on the 16th fairway, which is about 150 yards away. When the news caught up with Koepka, he was actually walking back from there. He pointed back at 16 with his right thumb to a police officer.
After the group, on-course analyst Dom Boulet, booth analyst David Feherty, and rules analyst Tony Zirpoli spoke on the show. Here’s what they said.
“I think he’s getting line of sight off the TIO,” said Boulet.
Zirpoli said, “He’s going to ask if he can get TIO.”
“I’m not sure what he’s asking for,” said Boulet. He then asked Elliott if he knew.
“He’s getting a clear line of sight,” Elliott said. “I guess you can just drop both sides.”
Koepka worked to get his yardage. There was more question, though.
“It looks like there’s nothing between him and the hole,” Feherty said.
“Well, there are toilets over there,” said Boulet. Ricky just told me that it’s line of sight. I think it might be the portable toilets.”But, to be honest, I didn’t think that was a choice. I mean, he’d have to go through a few trees to choose that path.”
Koepka picked up his ball at this point. He began his walk to 16, going through some tents on the way. (See photo above.)
There, before his second shot, he talked with official David Blake about where he would be away from the tents.
Zirpoli said, “And according to the local rule, he can get help on either side of the TIO. He may have a better chance because of it. So by taking that other-side comfort, he’s doing the smart thing. It’s a long walk, too.”
Feherty said, “It sure is. It’s not common for there to be such a big difference. Tony, he’s going to walk to a place where he can see clearly?”
Said Zirpoli: “Yes, he does have a…”
Boulet said, “He’s going to drop in the middle of the 16th fairway.”
Zirpoli said, “He will be able to see the edge of the TIO.” Then, he will get a one-club-length corridor, and from that one-club-length corridor, he will get another one-club-length, which is his rest area. He has to go to that area of comfort.”
Feherty said, “Well, he’s about 200 club lengths from where he was.”
After talking to Blake, Koepka put his ball just to the left of the right side of the 16th green. (See photo above.) Still, there was doubt.
Feherty said, “Give us the yardage, Dom.”
“I heard Ricky say 167,” said Boulet. “That’s how they’re measuring it because they wanted to take relief at the same distance.” Now, I didn’t think it mattered what he had to go over there, whether it was a port-a-potty, a tent, or something else. But the judge, David Blake, ruled in his favor, and he’s getting a big break here.”
“You take them when you can get them,” Feherty said. You have a lot of bad luck. “I like that one.”
From there, Koepka hit over the trees that were once in front of him, and his ball landed 8 feet from the hole. He made a four with two putts.
When Koepka made his second shot, Feherty said, “That was worth waiting for.”
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