Scottie Scheffler made a remarkable par save at Pebble Beach's 18th hole, thanks to a crucial 2019 rule change regarding loose impediments. After his tee shot landed on the beach among rocks, the world No. 1 was able to legally clear away most rocks around his ball before executing the recovery shot.

Prior to 2019, Rule 15.1 restricted where players could remove loose impediments. The updated rule now allows removal anywhere on the course, with exceptions for situations where moving impediments would cause the ball to move (resulting in a one-shot penalty).


"With the old rules I think I probably would have gone back to the tee just because of the way the rocks were around my ball," Scheffler explained. "Being able to move some rocks definitely made the shot easier."

The sequence demonstrated Scheffler's renowned ability to avoid bogeys, a trait that impressed Rory McIlroy: "I don't think I've ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie. He just doesn't make mistakes."

Playing in his first tournament since hand surgery, Scheffler sits at 7-under par through two rounds, seven shots behind leader Sepp Straka. Despite feeling some competitive rust, he has managed only two bogeys against nine birdies.

"I haven't felt at peak performance at all," Scheffler admitted. "But to only have two bogeys, one of them being with a semi-shank, it's pretty good. Definitely 18, a little luck saved at least a bogey."

Related Articles

Previous Articles