PGA Tour pro DQ'd for breaking golf rule at World Wide Technology Championship

PGA Tour pro Emilio Gonzalez was disqualified after completing the second round of the World Wide Technology Championship.

The official PGA Tour communications team confirmed the DQ on Friday evening. 

Gonzalez fired an opening round of 73 at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante. 

He returned a card for 2-under 71 in the second round which left him at level par after 36 holes.

It meant that the 27-year-old missed the cut by two shots on what was supposed to be a dream week for the golfer considering he was given a sponsor exemption into the $7.2m event. 

A rules official deemed that Gonzalez was in breach of Rule 18.3. 

So what happened?

According to ShotLink data, Gonzalez drove his tee shot on the par-4 15th into the desert area. 

He played a provisional and then promptly went to search for his original. 

The ball was found within three minutes, meaning he could continue playing the hole without penalty. 

But according to the Tour, Gonzalez failed to make a 'reasonable effort' to identify the ball once it was found and continued to play the provisional. 

He eventually made a bogey five. 

To not be penalised, Gonzalez needed to clearly determine whether the found ball was his or not.

Who is Emilio Gonzalez?

He is a 27-year-old professional golfer with aspirations of playing on the PGA Tour. 

Gonzalez has played 27 events on the Korn Ferry Tour this year and competed in one PGA Tour event, the Houston Open, where he made the cut and tied for 74th. 

Echavarria closing in on third win

After 36 holes in Mexico, Nico Echavarria was tied for the lead at 12-under with Max Greyserman. 

Echavarria claimed his second Tour title last week at the ZOZO Championship in Japan. 

The pre-tournament favourite, Cameron Young, withdrew citing no reason. 

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