x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Collin Morikawa uses Rules to his advantage in clever way at Tour Championship
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
    • 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
    • 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

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
News

Collin Morikawa uses Rules to his advantage in clever way at Tour Championship

By: Sean Zak
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
September 6, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Collin Morikawa

Morikawa didn't have to use the Rules on Sunday, but it definitely worked out for him.

YouTube.com

PGA Tour rulings happen all the time, and sometimes it’s quite clear players are using the rules to their advantage (or at least trying to). That was never more clear than Sunday at the Tour Championship, where Collin Morikawa took embedded ball relief on the 8th hole.

Morikawa was five under for the event and had left his approach shot just short of the green on the par 4 at East Lake. Apparently, the ball had stuck right in its landing spot. 

It isn’t clear to the TV viewer, but the ball had apparently created a slight depression in the turf and sat within it, creating a tricky lie for Morikawa to maneuver. The key factor is that the ball, when it struck the turf, had broken the turf slightly as well. There was dirt to prove it.

After a Tour rules official investigated, he initially voted that Morikawa had to play his ball as it was. No relief. But after further convincing, and an even closer look at the turf, they deemed the ball to have broken the turf. He would have the option to drop for free relief within one club-length.

The rule in use here is Rule 16.3, which states “relief is allowed only when your ball is embedded in the general area,” and not when it is in a bunker. Since Morikawa’s ball was on a slope, his two initial drops didn’t hold their position within a club-length, so he was able to place his ball.

After going through his procedural scanning of the green — which greatly impressed the broadcasters — Morikawa played a pitch up to three feet and made his par. Onwards and upwards. He’d make six birdies coming in to race up the leaderboard with just 18 holes left in the big money event. 

Adidas Layer Sweatershirt

Adidas Layer Sweatershirt

Play more rounds in cooler temperatures without distraction in the bulk-free Adidas Layer Sweatshirt. The sweatshirt is designed and created with a drawstring cowl neck that offers additional coverage, thumbholes to keep your hands warm, fitted sleeves and bottom band to help keep the warmth in, and useful pockets to hold small golf-related accessories. The sweatshirt is light enough to be tucked into your bag when the weather warms up.
$70 from proshop.golf.com
View Product

Latest In News

2 hours ago

ESPN borrows NBC broadcaster experiment for PGA Championship

5 hours ago

Scottie Scheffler's 'constant battle' doubles as terrific life advice

6 hours ago

What channel is the PGA Championship on? How to watch 2025 PGA on TV

6 hours ago

2025 PGA Championship Thursday TV coverage: How to watch Round 1

Sean Zak

Golf.com Editor

Sean Zak is a writer at GOLF Magazine and just published his first book, which follows his travels in Scotland during the most pivotal summer in the game’s history.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Rules
golfer hits ball from bunker and then places ball on the green

This genius use of stroke-and-distance rule has been viewed 2.4 million times

By: Zephyr Melton
Lifestyle
golfer confused after ball hits tree

5 bizarre rules quandaries for which everyday golfers sought USGA guidance

By: Josh Sens
News
Ben Crane

‘I have to disqualify myself’: Tour winner’s assumption leads to wild rules DQ

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Jake Knapp

After video review of rules penalty, pro made last week’s PGA Tour cut

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Bryson DeChambeau

How Bryson DeChambeau’s clever rules usage — put him on a home’s balcony

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Jason Day, Charley Hoffman, Sepp Straka

Pro dumps 2 into water — then gets ‘big break’ after intriguing rules talk

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Mark Litton, Ewen Ferguson, Jason Scrivener, Daniel Hillier

Rules official warns pro — and he says the alarm 'ruined his day'

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Akshay Bhatia, rules official

Pro thinks he was clever. Then comes a conversation with rules official

By: Nick Piastowski
Rules
Cam Davis

‘Going to be expensive:’ Pros’ confusion leads to 4 rules penalty strokes 

By: Nick Piastowski
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