Robert MacIntyre’s free ball drop controversy at the Genesis Scottish Open 2024 explained in depth
Robert MacIntyre's free ball drop on the par-5 16th hole at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open generated controversy on the internet. The Scottish golfer cleverly made use of the golf rules to earn relief in the final round of the Scottish Open. This helped him seize the victory at the event.
On MacIntyre's first shot on the 16th, the ball went straight into knee-high fescue, making his next more difficult. However, before taking his second shot, MacIntyre decided to practice his swing and suddenly realized he was standing on a sprinkler head.
MacIntyre called his caddie to discuss it and soon after called the officials to ask for relief. Luckily, he was granted a free drop and the officials allowed him to place his ball in a better condition to take the shot.
According to Rule 16.1 of the USGA, a player can ask for relief if their shot is interfered with by any abnormal ground condition. The rule states that relief is granted if the condition affects the player's stance or area of intended swing.
Here is what the rule says:
"Relief Is Allowed: Interference exists when any one of these is true: Your ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition, An abnormal course condition physically interferes with your area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or Only when your ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on your line of play."
Robert MacIntyre was fortunate to earn the relief and made use of the opportunity, carding an eagle on the hole. But it generated a debate on social media with many expressing their disappointment with the officials' decision. Several fans also supported MacIntyre for using the rules to his advantage.
Robert MacIntyre shares details of his free drop at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open
Following the event, Robert MacIntyre admitted that he was lucky to win the Scottish Open. He described how he earned the free drop while talking to the media after the event.
MacIntyre conceded that from where the ball was, he would have only managed to "move maybe a hundred yards." But luckily, he got the relief and managed a 247-yard shot, landing just six feet away from the hole.
MacIntyre said (via NBC Sports):
"As I took a step back, obviously there was no high rough where it would tangle the club. So I could take the practice swing, like a foot, foot and a half from the ball, and just a step back, I just heard the clunk,"
"I’ve got spikes on the front three of my shoes, not on my shoe as spikes, but just the front three studs as metal spikes, and I was like, no way, I’ve got a sprinkler underneath my foot. Obviously the plastic spikes at the back, you don’t feel it."
“And I said to [caddie] Mike, ‘When I get up to the golf ball, am I standing on that sprinkler?' And he’s laughing at me going, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ It was just a lucky break. You use the rules to get advantage. You stand on a sprinkler, you’re due relief. That was just the one kiss I needed," he added.
After making an eagle on the 16th, Robert MacIntyre made a par on the next hole. He then added a birdie on the final hole which helped him secure a one-stroke victory over Adam Scott.