World-class players are criticizing tournament officials following a mud-ball fiasco at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have openly criticized the organizers of the PGA Championship after a controversial decision not to allow “preferred lies” — the option to lift and clean the ball on the fairway — despite heavy rain leading up to the tournament.
North Carolina received five inches of rain during the week leading up to the opening round, leaving the course wet and unpredictable. Still, PGA of America announced Wednesday evening that it would stick with the standard rule: play the ball as it lies.
Double bogeys after mud-influenced shots
The decision sparked frustration among several players — especially World Nos. 1 and 3, Scheffler and Schauffele, who both hit their second shots into the water on hole 16 and walked away with double bogeys.
Read also: The 15 Richest Golfers of All Time - Ranked
According to Daily Mail Scheffler, who still managed a round of 69, was visibly upset:
“I understand the purist idea of playing the ball as it lies,” he said, “but I don’t think people realize what it feels like to dedicate your life to mastering precision and control — only to lose that because of a rules decision you had no say in.”
He added that golf already contains enough variables, and that the discussion shouldn’t be about whether you’re allowed to lift the ball, but rather about ensuring fair play.
Schauffele: “It’s pure guesswork”
Defending champion Xander Schauffele was also disappointed after carding a 72. He described the conditions as frustrating and unpredictable — even when the ball lands in the fairway.
“It sucks that you end up in a 50/50 situation after hitting a good drive,” he said. “It becomes pure guesswork — how much spin the ball will lose, whether you have any control at all.”
Schauffele also noted that the problems would likely get worse as the weather improves and the course starts to dry out.
He warned that the balls would begin to pick up mud in the critical “cake layer,” where the ground is still damp enough to stick to the ball, but dry enough to prevent it from skidding cleanly through.
Players feel let down
Both Scheffler and Schauffele emphasized that the situation undermines the integrity of the tournament — and makes it difficult for players to compete on equal footing. Schauffele even said he avoids the locker room because the mood among players is so tense.
Read also: The 20 Best PGA Tour Golfers in 2025 - Ranked
With the ruling unchanged and conditions remaining tricky, the rest of the tournament looks set to be dominated by frustration and chance — and perhaps even a final result that reflects luck more than pure skill.
Source: Daily Mail
