Dustin Johnson's fourth round featured the anxiety and pressure that comes with the penultimate pairing of the U.S. Open. But on hole No. 5, Johnson had to deal with an additional distraction because apparently that is what happens with Dustin Johnson at majors.
As Johnson addressed his putt, the ball appeared to move slightly backwards. Johnson did not make direct contact with the ball and he did not ground his club behind it. Nonetheless, Johnson called over a rules official. Johnson pleaded his case to the rules official, who appeared to give Johnson the heads up with no penalty.
But later in the round, Johnson and other players on the course were notified by USGA rules officials that a potential stroke penalty might be enforced after the round. Johnson was on hole No. 12 at the time.
As uncertainty loomed over the home stretch of the U.S. Open, some of the biggest names in golf, including the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked players in the world, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, took to Twitter to share their dismay with the USGA and the ensuing circus:
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
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
Other notables included Rickie Fowler and former champions Ernie Els and Webb Simpson:
.@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
@USGA treatment of @DJohnsonPGA absolutely shocking. No way he made the ball move.
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) June 19, 2016
Hey @usopengolf @USGA do not make the mistake of penalizing Dustin, he did NOTHING to cause ball to move.
— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) June 19, 2016
Justin Thomas, an up-and-coming American ranked No. 31 in the world, sarcastically tweeted his optimism that he may still win the tournament:
Starting to think I may have a chance of a playoff at +8 if these rulings keep up #stayingpositive
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) June 19, 2016
Even Tiger Woods, sitting out the tournament with a prolonged back injury, took a shot at the USGA:
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
Johnson finished his round with an aggregate score of 265 (-5), clinching the championship by 4 strokes. Even after the one-stroke penalty, Johnson ended with a final score of 266 (-4).
Spieth tweeted a parting thought, applauding Johnson for taking the "high road" while seemingly neglecting his own advice:
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
As for the mystery of what made the ball move, former World No. 1 Luke Donald may have the answer:
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
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