After a very successful 2014 season earning his first PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and placing in the top 10 six times, Matt Every’s second tournament of the year ended abruptly in the second round at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
During the first round, he bent his 4-iron playing a shot from behind a tree and forgot to take it back out of his bag before the second round.
When he began his second round with the non-conforming club, he was subject to penalty for carrying the club. Under Rule 4-1 the player’s club must conform with this Rule and the provisions, specifications and interpretations set forth in Appendix II (Design of Clubs).
*PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE
WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2:
Stroke play – Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred;
maximum penalty per round – Four strokes (two strokes at each of the first
two holes at which any breach occurred).
Every subsequently used the club on the 18th (his ninth hole of the day) and called over a PGA Tour rules official as he realized he might have breached the rules.
“He asked for a second opinion on the bend,” PGA TOUR rules official John Mutch said. “The bend in this club was about 10 inches up from the neck. It was substantial.”
The penalty for using a non-conforming club during the stipulated round is disqualification which is outlined in the penalty statement in Rule 4-1 and 4-2 below:
PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH
OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2: Disqualification
Due to an equipment infraction, Matt Every was disqualified from the @SonyOpen during Friday’s second round. @PGATOUR
— PGA TOUR Media (@PGATOURmedia) January 17, 2015
Frustrated with what transpired, this is where Every’s club ended up.
(Getty Images; D.J. Piehowski/PGA TOUR)
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