Hideki Matsuyama Golf Club at Memorial Tournament disqualified: ‘Just unfortunate set of circumstances’

Eight-time PGA Tour winner Hideki Matsuyama Disqualified from first round of Memorial tournament On Thursday, officials discovered one of his golf clubs had markings that did not meet the Tour’s equipment standards.

Chief referee Steve Rintoul explained that someone, whom he declined to name, pointed out that Matsuyama’s 3-wood had noticeable white markings that appeared to be alignment.

While the markings themselves were not an issue, the substance used to make them was so important that it could change ball flight,

“There were a lot of whites,” Rintoul said. “A white matter that was very high club faceWhich, in fact, is very clear in the equipment rules what is not allowed.”

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Players are allowed to carry non-conforming clubs in their bags, but this issue arose after Matsuyama used it for himself. opening tee shot,

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan is disqualified from the tournament on the 10th tee box during the first round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2022 in Dublin, Ohio.
(Ben Jared/PGA Tour via Getty Images)

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“It was thick enough that you could pick up where it was in the face,” Rintoul said. “But the damage was done on the first hole.”

For the first time on Thursday, Matsuyama received A. was disqualified from PGA Tour Tournament.

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Hideki Matsuyama of Japan watches the eighth hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2022 in Dublin, Ohio.
(Joe Robbins/Icon SportsWire via Getty Images)

“Just an unfortunate set of circumstances for Hideki, of course,” Rintoul said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.