x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
This little-known match play rule confused everybody at the WGC-Dell Match Play
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

This little-known match play rule confused everybody at the WGC-Dell Match Play

By: James Colgan
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
March 28, 2021
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
scottie scheffler rules match play

Scottie Scheffler's bizarre employment of this little-known rule stumped everyone at the WGC-Dell Match Play.

Getty Images/PGA Tour

Golf is a game of order. Even, it appears, when that order makes little sense.

On Sunday at the WGC-Dell Match Play, Scottie Scheffler befuddled everyone, from fans watching at home to the NBC broadcast team, when he appeared to play out of order after water balls on consecutive holes.

The situation started on the 12th hole of Sunday’s semifinal match between Scheffler and Matt Kuchar. On the hole, Scheffler yanked his approach shot from the left fairway into the water adjacent to the green. Under the rules of golf, the 24-year-old was afforded relief at the last point of entry — some 77 yards away from the pin.

Meanwhile, Kuchar hit his approach shot out of the trees and to the front edge of the No. 12’s large, sloping green. With the pin in the back, Kuchar had a little less than 100 feet to make birdie — no cakewalk, but very obviously closer to the flagstick than his counterpart.

But then, a few seconds later, Kuchar, not Scheffler, hit his third shot on the hole. Of course, basic matchplay roles dictate that the player further from the hole is responsible for playing his shot. It seemed, for a brief moment, that the two golfers had played out of turn.

Then, on the 13th, Scheffler did it again, knocking yet another shot into the water adjacent to the hole, and once again letting Kuchar take his following shot from much closer proximity.

So, what on earth was going on? By all accounts, the rules of golf.

Rule 6.4a dictates “the ball that is farther from the hole should be played first,” but it doesn’t dictate which ball. Because Scheffler has the freedom to play his ball as it lies, he technically could play his ball from the lake floor, which (though in the hazard) was closer to the flagstick than Kuchar’s shot on both approaches. Until Scheffler has dropped his ball, it’s Kuchar’s responsibility to act as if he is going to play the ball in the lake bed, and therefore, Kuchar is the further of the two players from the hole.

If you’re at all confused at the ruling the last two holes, I hope this helps – it’s where the ball is currently resting. So Scheffler’s ball, while in the water, is closer to the hole than Kuchar. It isn’t where the ball is dropped, it’s where that original ball sits.

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) March 28, 2021

Ultimately, the bizarre sequence would mean very little, as Kuchar (who had least to gain from going first in both instances) won both holes. Scheffler would win the match 1 up, moving on to the finals with a boatload of confidence and evidently, a stringent understanding of the rules of golf.

Latest In News

6 hours ago

Sam Burns’ U.S. Open collapse ended with bleary eyes but also self-belief

7 hours ago

J.J. Spaun’s career changed at U.S. Open. 1 life-changing move got him there

8 hours ago

Why Tyrrell Hatton flashed full range of emotions — right as J.J. Spaun won

8 hours ago

The sweetest off-course moments at the U.S. Open | Rogers Report

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Instruction
scottie scheffler and sam burns

In odd rules twist, this U.S. player was forced to hit a putt *before* opponent’s approach

By: Alan Bastable
News
scottie scheffler and sam burns

Why this budding bromance could be formidable Presidents Cup pairing

By: Zephyr Melton
News
Signage displays images of the U.S. and International Teams prior to the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on September 19, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Who's playing in the Presidents Cup? Meet the U.S. and International teams

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Sergio Garcia of Spain looks on from under their umbrella on the 4th hole during Day One of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club on September 08, 2022 in Virginia Water, England.

Sergio Garcia spotted at Alabama-Texas after BMW PGA WD

By: Jack Hirsh
News
scottie scheffler on set of College Gameday

Scottie Scheffler named PGA Tour Player of Year — on College GameDay

By: Zephyr Melton
Gear
Rory McIlroy / Scottie Scheffler

Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler: a tale of 2 wildly different club setups in the 2022 PGA Tour season

By: Ryan Barath
News
rory mcilroy and scott scheffler sr

This touching Rory McIlroy gesture put a bow on his storybook win

By: Alan Bastable
Tournaments
Scottie Scheffler of the United States congratulates Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland on the 18th green after McIlroy won during the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Why Scottie Scheffler's blown 6-shot lead at Tour Championship wasn't a meltdown

By: Jack Hirsh
Tournaments
Rory McIlroy

Marvelous McIlroy! Rory reels in Scottie Scheffler to win Tour Championship, FedEx Cup

By: Jack Hirsh
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version