Golf fans have been left furious after JJ Spaun exploited a rules loophole during this weekend's Players Championship.
The American finished joint top with Rory McIlroy as both players registered scores of 12 under at the Players Stadium Course in Florida.
The controversy erupted during the final round when Spaun was chasing down leader McIlroy.
After finding the rough with his second shot on the ninth hole, the American used a sprinkler head rule to gain a significant advantage.
The manoeuvre allowed him to move his ball from a difficult lie in the rough onto the fairway.
Spaun went on to birdie the hole, helping him eventually tie with McIlroy and force a play-off.
The incident has sparked heated debate online, with many fans questioning whether Spaun violated the spirit of the game.
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One fan wrote on X: "They should be no relief rule that allows you to move from the rough into the fairway."
Another pointed out the inconsistency in the rules: "Yet you can stripe a perfect drive and end up in a divot in the middle of the fairway through no fault of your own and it's sacrilege to suggest they should get relief."
A third fan suggested: "Wow, shouldn't have sprinklers near the rough anymore. Down the middle of the fairway, and the rough gets from a few deep ones."
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The harshest criticism came from a fourth user who questioned Spaun's integrity: "Obviously, a low/no integrity person. The rule is there so you don't damage a sprinkler head. It's not there so you can avoid the consequences of a bad shot."
McIlroy, meanwhile, expressed confidence despite the frustrating finish to regulation play.
"All day it was a bit of a battle, I'm standing here feeling like I probably should be going home with the trophy tonight," he said.
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The Northern Irishman remained determined to prevail in the playoff.
"But that's fine. I'll reset and hopefully go home with the trophy tomorrow," McIlroy added.
"I feel like I gave myself chances to close the door and win this golf tournament but I didn't quite do that."
McIlroy is looking to win the Players Championship for the first time since 2019. Any victory would bode well for the future, especially with the Masters set to take place next month.
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The American finished joint top with Rory McIlroy as both players registered scores of 12 under at the Players Stadium Course in Florida.
The controversy erupted during the final round when Spaun was chasing down leader McIlroy.
After finding the rough with his second shot on the ninth hole, the American used a sprinkler head rule to gain a significant advantage.
The manoeuvre allowed him to move his ball from a difficult lie in the rough onto the fairway.
Spaun went on to birdie the hole, helping him eventually tie with McIlroy and force a play-off.
The incident has sparked heated debate online, with many fans questioning whether Spaun violated the spirit of the game.
JUST IN: Jack Draper's earnings and new ranking revealed after tennis star beats Holger Rune to win Indian Wells title
One fan wrote on X: "They should be no relief rule that allows you to move from the rough into the fairway."
Another pointed out the inconsistency in the rules: "Yet you can stripe a perfect drive and end up in a divot in the middle of the fairway through no fault of your own and it's sacrilege to suggest they should get relief."
A third fan suggested: "Wow, shouldn't have sprinklers near the rough anymore. Down the middle of the fairway, and the rough gets from a few deep ones."
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton makes complaint after nightmare Ferrari debut at Australian Grand Prix
The harshest criticism came from a fourth user who questioned Spaun's integrity: "Obviously, a low/no integrity person. The rule is there so you don't damage a sprinkler head. It's not there so you can avoid the consequences of a bad shot."
McIlroy, meanwhile, expressed confidence despite the frustrating finish to regulation play.
"All day it was a bit of a battle, I'm standing here feeling like I probably should be going home with the trophy tonight," he said.
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The Northern Irishman remained determined to prevail in the playoff.
"But that's fine. I'll reset and hopefully go home with the trophy tomorrow," McIlroy added.
"I feel like I gave myself chances to close the door and win this golf tournament but I didn't quite do that."
McIlroy is looking to win the Players Championship for the first time since 2019. Any victory would bode well for the future, especially with the Masters set to take place next month.
Find Out More...