PGA Tour told to "nail" Cantlay with "huge fine" for breaking unwritten rule

958     0
Patrick Cantlay failed to shout fore during his first round at the Genesis (Image: Getty Images)
Patrick Cantlay failed to shout fore during his first round at the Genesis (Image: Getty Images)

Former Presidents Cup vice-captain Tony Johnstone believes Patrick Cantlay should be handed a "huge fine" after failing to shout "fore" during the opening round of the Genesis Invitational.

Cantlay impressed on day one at Riviera Country Club, setting the opening round lead thanks to a seven-under-par 64. Six-time European winner, Johnstone however was left unimpressed with the American's etiquette as he broke one of golf's unwritten rules after two miss-fired shots on the final hole.

The former FedEx Cup champion hit a wayward tee shot on the par-four 18th, pulling his drive left which went hit one of the course ball-spotter's. He then followed this up with another off-target attempt, as his second flew towards the green-side crowd.

READ MORE: LIV Golf wildcard hails "best experience" thanks to Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter

Cantlay failed to call "fore" on the back of his errant tee shot, and appeared to do the same with his second attempt too, before a late call came from a member of his group. Johnstone was not impressed, taking to X (formerly Twitter ) to criticise the tournament leader. "Back to back shots and Cantlay hits a ball-spotter and then spectators around the green.

Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut eiqrkitkiqxqinvBubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut

"Would a shout of ‘fore’ be out of the question?” He then added in a follow-up: "[He] should be nailed with a huge fine.” Cantlay is a man who has not been far from controversy in recent months, having taken on the role of pantomime villain at last Autumn's Ryder Cup.

Reports suggested the 38-year-old had caused a split within the Team USA locker room in Rome, having reportedly been left unhappy over not being paid to represent his country. Just weeks later, Cantlay's name was embroiled in controversy again, after it was claimed he was trying to 'take over' the PGA Tour's Policy Board.

PGA Tour told to "nail" Cantlay with "huge fine" for breaking unwritten rulePatrick Cantlay ended round one with the lead at Riviera (Getty Images)

The world No. 5 is currently an active Player Director on the board, in what is an important time for the PGA Tour, who remain in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) over ending their ongoing feud with LIV Golf. Cantlay himself addressed the claims at the end of 2023, playing down his reported coup.

"I just don’t think you can trust everything you read on the internet,” he told Golf.com last December. "I think if you just look at the facts that are out there, it would be impossible for any one player to take control. I mean, it would be impossible for all the players together to take control.

"We only have half the seats on the board, and any major vote around any of the things we’ve been talking about requires a two-thirds majority. And also, considering that the Tour has hired [the titan investment bank] Allen and Co., and given the Tour has been driving discussions since even before the framework agreement was announced, I mean, given that set of facts it’s just impossible for that to be the case.”

Joshua Lees

Patrick Cantlay, Golf, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 13:08 • Sport
Gareth Bale to face Yahoo billionaire as he tees up on PGA Tour for first time
01.02.2023, 17:17 • Sport
Golf star rants over Patrick Reed tree shot and says LIV rebel 'f****** cheated'
02.02.2023, 08:07 • Sport
PGA Tour has new rule in latest bid to deter golfers from defecting to LIV
02.02.2023, 12:52 • Sport
Cameron Smith admits 'hurt' over LIV Golf move after missing world No.1 chance
02.02.2023, 15:16 • Sport
Matt Fitzpatrick lauds "impressive" Gareth Bale ahead of PGA Tour debut
02.02.2023, 16:08 • Sport
Jordan Spieth wishes 'friend' and LIV Golf rebel hadn't joined Saudi series
03.02.2023, 08:26 • Sport
Jordan Spieth cliff-edge shot forced Pebble Beach change thanks to copycat fans
03.02.2023, 11:25 • Sport
Phil Mickelson aims brutal dig at Tiger Woods as PGA Tour vs LIV idea teased
03.02.2023, 12:10 • Sport
Bale shines at first PGA event including incredible cart shot in round of 65
03.02.2023, 15:07 • Sport
Matt Fitzpatrick shares Bale snub that led to hat-trick against his beloved team