‘Most unusual:’ Lee Westwood hit with costly and bizarre rules violation at LIV Golf season-opener

Lee Westwood’s LIV Golf season got off to a bizarre start this week under the lights in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 51-year-old Englishman fired a first-round seven-under 65 to put him within striking distance of leader Adrian Meronk. But Westwood’s hopes took a hit during the second round on Friday when he found himself in the middle of an odd rules violation.

Westwood hooked his tee shot on the 16th hole into a creek running along the fairway. Westwood arrived at the water hazard and appeared to spot his ball in the creek. His caddie, Mick Doran, retrieved it, and Westwood, after some consideration, took his drop with the same ball and hit his third shot on the green.

However, when Westwood arrived at the green, he noticed that the ball he had retrieved from the hazard and subsequently played was not the one he had played off the tee, nor was it the same make and model. That meant Westwood violated a Model Local Rule in place for the event, requiring golfers to play the same make and model of ball throughout the round.

Westwood received a one-stroke penalty for violating the one-ball rule and left the 16th hole with a double-bogey six.

The odd rules kerfuffle left even the LIV broadcast confused.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that one,” David Feherty said. “Or heard of it. Most unusual.”

“He’s a seasoned pro,” Dom Boulet later added. “Probably the first time he’s ever made that mistake.”

The water ball and rules violation cost Westwood dearly. In Round 2, he shot an even-par 71 en route to finishing in a tie for 25th at 7-under.

Meronk, meanwhile, held on to win Saturday by two shots over Jon Rahm and Sebastian Munoz.

LIV Golf will head to Adelaide for its second event of the season after it finishes in Riyadh on Saturday.