The R&A’s code-of-conduct policy was tested Friday at Royal Birkdale, where Jon Rahm tomahawked his iron after a poor tee shot at the par-3 15th.
The organization had three options: issue a warning, hand out a two-shot penalty, declare a disqualification. It opted for the lesser. Rahm was told on the 17th tee by an official that he received a warning.
Rahm bogeyed the 15th to drop to 2 under par but rebounded with birdies at Nos. 16 and 17. He had 5 feet to close with three straight birdies but missed wide left. Rahm shot 3-under 67 to enter the weekend at 4 under, four behind leader Lucas Herbert.
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Code of Conduct
Earlier this year, the governing bodies of all four majors announced a code-of-conduct policy to hold players to a higher standard of behavior during competition. The policy, however, has been criticized for its inconsistent application.
Sergio Garcia was given a warning at this year’s Masters after being caught on camera in the final round twice slamming his driver into a tee box and then breaking the club after smashing it against a cooler.
Joaquin Niemann wasn’t on camera when he threw his club amid a reported tantrum late in Round 1 of the U.S. Open. The outburst was deemed a “serious misconduct” by the USGA and he was given a two-stroke penalty.
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The R&A’s conduct policy states: “If a player’s (or their caddie’s) behavior is so far removed from what is expected in the spirit of the game of golf, in accordance with Rule 1.2b, the Chief Referee, in consultation with the Chief Championships Officer, may issue an official warning or apply a penalty of two strokes or disqualification, taking account of the frequency, impact or potential impact, intent and severity of the misconduct. An official warning does not need to be given prior to applying a penalty of two strokes or disqualification.”
Rahm told The Associated Press earlier this week that he approved of a conduct policy as long as it was applied consistently. He was playing alongside Garcia Sunday at Augusta, but said he didn’t know exactly what happened with Niemann.
“I think it’s good. I get it,” he said. “They have a code of conduct and they enforce it. Why not? It’s not going to change how I play. To go from zero to a penalty? I don’t know.”
