Golf fans call for rule change after pro skewered by 'worst divot lie all year'
DP World Tour pro Jordan Smith was faced with one of the worst divot lies you will ever see at the Porsche Singapore Classic.
DP World Tour pro Jordan Smith hit a beautiful tee shot to kick off his second round at the Porsche Singapore Classic.
But when he arrived to his golf ball in the middle of the fairway his shoulders immediately slumped. Complete and utter dejection.
The most brutal break was inflicted upon the Englishman as his ball settled in a divot. Not just any divot. This thing was something else.
Sky Sports on-course commentator Jay Townsend summed up the state of the lie perfectly: "It's worse than what it looks like from your camera angle.
"This is a really deep divot. Jordan just walked up and slumped his shoulders. It's almost unplayable. He's changed club once.
"I truly believe at best - because he's gonna have to hit down on it so hard even with a lofted club from 77 [yards] - 30 feet past the hole is a good shot.
"It's such a bad lie, Richard, I can see him landing it short and just bouncing it up. This is probably the worst divot lie you're gonna get all year."
As you can imagine, Smith's next shot went exactly as you'd expect as he only advanced the ball a short way up the fairway.
He caught the ball heavy and then immediately looked back down at the lie, likely trying to keep his temper under control.
Smith ultimately went on to make a double bogey six on the hole but he bounced back immediately with three consecutive birdies.
In the end, he returned a scorecard for 1-over 73. On Thursday, he opened with an 8-under 64. After 36 holes, he was tied for 15th on 7-under.
English duo Andy Sullivan and Richard Mansell were tied for the lead at 9-under alongside Germany's Freddy Schott.
But the big talking point was the lie that skewered Smith. The moment attracted an outpouring of sympathy from golf fans on X.
Some fans believe now is the time to change the rule allowing relief without penalty when your ball settles in a fairway divot.
"This is by far the worst rule in golf," one X user said. "You should not be penalised for a good shot."
Another added: "How is this still a rule in golf?"
But one person put their head above the parapet and suggested the rules needn't be changed.
"For all those crying for the rules to change, answer me this: how do you define a 'divot'?"
Watch the moment here:
Brutal break for @Jsmithgolf at the first #PorscheSingaporeClassic pic.twitter.com/0sRA83p0lT
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 22, 2024
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