Dan Bradbury’s victory at the recently concluded Open de France event landed him in controversy for reportedly violating a golf rule.
The English golfer shot a bogey-free final round on Sunday, October 13, at Le Golf National to clinch his second DP World Tour win, registering an incredible one-stroke victory in the game. He finished the game with par on the 18th.
However, following his win, golf writer Matt Vincenzi shared a video of the golfer from the final hole, which has sparked a controversy on the internet.
The clip shows Dan Bradbury making a putt while his golf gear’s grip was seemingly touching his chest.As per Rule 10.1b, golfers must ensure that while taking a shot, their putter’s grip does not touch their torso, including the chest and stomach. Violating this rule can lead to a penalty. Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), Vincenzi wrote:
“If this isn’t anchoring, I don’t know what is @DPWorldTour. Is it a rule, or is it not a rule?”
As the clip went viral, fans accused the golfer of allegedly cheating during the game.
“He’s a cheat. Simple. Ban the long putter for pros and be done with it,” a fan wrote.
Notably, Rule 10.1b explains how to take a shot while playing. The rule deals with the anchoring of the club. It allows players to take a shot while the club grip is touching their forearms, specifically involving the area below the elbow joints and the wrists. However, players are forbidden from anchoring the club against their torso, including the chest and stomach. The rule states:
“In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either: Directly, by holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body (except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm), or Indirectly, through use of an “anchor point,” by holding a forearm against any part of the body to use a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.”
It is important to note that there is no breach of the rule if the grip merely “touches the body or clothes” without “being held against the body” while making a stroke.If a player violates the rule, they would be given a penalty of two strokes in the stroke play format, and in match play, the player would lose that particular hole.
“Very solid day”- Dan Bradbury on his performance at Open De France
Bradbury played a bogey-free final round to win the 2024 Open de France event. He started great with a birdie on the first hole and then added four more birdies during the game for a score of 5-under 66.
During the press conference of the tournament, Bradbury opened up about his performance, saying (via ASAP Sports):
“Obviously a very, very solid day. Lots of chances. Felt a little frustrated there kind of at the start of the back nine. Missed good chances on 12 and 13.
To be honest I thought that was — I was going to drop a few back there. Knowing that those holes are easier, like coming into the last four, never know what’s going to happen. Luckily finished well but overall a very, very solid day.”
Notably, it’s the second win for Dan Bradbury on the DP World Tour. He had previously won the Joburg Open in 2022.
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