DP World Tour deny golfer's claim over investigation into angry outburst
The DP World Tour have refuted Eddie Pepperell's claim that a golfer deliberately caused damage to one green at the Omega European Masters.
The DP World Tour have denied one of the greens was damaged by an angry golfer during the final round of the Omega European Masters.
English pro Eddie Pepperell claimed an investigation was underway after he noticed a 'hefty' chunk of turf was removed and repaired near the pin on the 15th hole.
Pepperell made the claim in the most recent episode of the Chipping Forecast.
The English golfer, 33, finished in a tie for 39th in Switzerland after putting together rounds of 66-67-77-70.
Pepperell said he noticed damage near the pin on the 15th hole at Crans-sur-Sierre club.
He said efforts were ongoing to determine which player caused the damage.
The culprit will be in trouble if they get found out, he said.
Pepperell told the pod: "This is potentially a bit of Tour gossip.
"Andrew [Cotter, co-host] will definitely appreciate this given the angry man that he is on the golf course.
"On Sunday, I got to the 15th green, we got to the 15th green and somebody - I think the investigation is still ongoing - had taken a hefty chunk out of the green about two foot from the hole and repaired it.
"But it was very noticeable and bad. Whoever has done it, if they get found out, they are in trouble.
"So that's a bit of gossip there. I'm not sure I should be saying that but hey, it's not like me to be saying things I shouldn't in this podcast."
Asked if there were 'known suspects', Pepperell said he wasn't sure.
"I don't now," he said. "It happened before me so they've got two hours' worth of groups to look at so I think the investigation is ongoing."
The DP World Tour told us they looked into what happened on the 15th green.
But it was accidental damage.
A spokesperson said: "It was reported but when the team looked into what had happened, it was actually accidental damage and, as is alluded to on the Chipping Forecast, efforts were made to repair it."
The DP World Tour do impose punishments and fines for damaging greens, but the total amount varies depending on each specific incident.
"It was borderline unplayable"
Matt Wallace triumphed in Switzerland, capturing his first win in six years.
He is now targeting automatic qualification for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team.
Wallace somehow managed to hold onto a four-shot lead after 54 holes despite gusting winds of 35mph and ridiculously fast greens that were running at 12 on the stimpmeter.
Jordan Smith was in the field and later blasted the tournament officials, saying some of the pin placements were 'ridiculous' given the conditions.
Pepperell also agreed they got the course set-up 'completely wrong'.
"The wind that came was totally unexpected," he said.
"The greens were unbelievably fast as it was, slopy, firm and it was borderline unplayable on some greens I would say.
"And I'm not one to be overly hyperbolic about this type of stuff and I'm not one to complain generally [but] I think the players had the right to complain somewhat and I know the tournament director got it in the ear and probably rightly so.
"They didn't know it was coming [the wind] and that's fine but it made a bit of a mockery at times of the players that were in contention and I'm not speaking of myself necessarily.
"I saw players in front of me and I saw my playing partner, indeed, putt it into the water hazard on 12.
"You know, you're making very good players look very silly and I'm not sure that's exactly what the goal is for the DP World Tour.
"But nonetheless, it was an enjoyable week and obviously fantastic place and I enjoyed it overall."
