Former Open winner DQs himself from PGA Tour Champions event

Former Open champion Justin Leonard disqualified himself during the first round of this week's event on the U.S. senior circuit. 

Leonard was playing the Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Alberta, Canada. 

He played eight holes of the PGA Tour Champions event, making one birdie and one bogey, before he realised something wasn't right. 

Turns out, the rangefinder he was using had slope turned on so he called it on himself. 

The news was first reported by MondayQInfo on X. 

Leonard's integrity was praised on X by a number of users. 

"Good on Justin for the honesty," one wrote.

Another added: "I'm surprised manufacturers don't supply rangefinders with that disabled so there's no way to break the rule."

Leonard is best known for winning the 1997 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

He also won 12 times on the PGA Tour during his career and played in three Ryder Cup teams. 

Memorably, Leonard made a 45-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole to complete a remarkable comeback by the U.S. team on the final day of the '99 Cup. 

Why can't professional golfers use slope on rangefinders?

The rules of golf were amended in 2019 that permitted rangefinders and distance measuring devices. 

This is covered in Rule 4.3a (1) which states they can be used in limited capacities. 

Golfers can use them to give information on distance and direction, but figuring out elevation changes with a rangefinder is a big no.

The rule states: 

• Allowed: Getting information on distance or direction (such as from a distance-measuring device or compass).
• Not Allowed: Measuring elevation changes, or interpreting distance or directional information (such as using a device to get a recommended line of play or club selection based on the location of the player's ball).

The use of rangefinders is at the discretion of the tournament's committee. 

The PGA of America permits their use in the PGA Championship, Women's PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship. 

They are also allowed in the LIV Golf League.

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