British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour season ended in frustration when PGA Tour officials denied his request to switch out his damaged driver during the final round of the BMW Championship. The incident ultimately cost him a spot in the prestigious Tour Championship and its lucrative purse.
Matt Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour season came to a disappointing end on Sunday, missing out on the lucrative Tour Championship due to a frustrating incident involving a damaged driver and PGA Tour officials.
Fitzpatrick Denied Driver Change, Misses Tour Championship After Frustrating Finish
During the final round of the BMW Championship, Fitzpatrick approached an official on the eighth hole to request a switch to a new driver after noticing a noticeable crack in the head of his current one. However, the request was denied, with officials deeming the crack insufficient to warrant a replacement.
Left with no choice but to continue using the defective driver, Fitzpatrick watched in dismay as his tee shot flew low and left, losing significant distance compared to his previous drives. The incident dropped him from a tie for 30th to 28th place in the tournament.
Fitzpatrick Denied Driver Change, Misses Tour Championship After Frustrating Finish
Fitzpatrick expressed his frustration to the official, stating, "There's an obvious crack there that's causing a defect of the ball flight." However, the official remained firm in his decision, telling Fitzpatrick, "We have said no."
The golfer responded with disbelief, exclaiming, "So, I'm going to have to use 3-wood the rest of the day? That's what you're telling me? ... This is outrageous."
Fitzpatrick Denied Driver Change, Misses Tour Championship After Frustrating Finish
PGA Tour chief referee Stephen Cox later explained the decision, stating that the crack was not significant enough to warrant a replacement. "Although there was a small crack in the face, there was no separation in the metals," Cox said.
Despite his protests, Fitzpatrick finished the round with his 3-wood, effectively ending his hopes of making it to the Tour Championship. The tournament, which features a $25 million purse for the top 30 golfers, would have offered Fitzpatrick a chance at a significant payday. The last-place finisher in the Tour Championship still receives $550,000.
Fitzpatrick's frustration was echoed by fellow golfer Kevin Kisner, who called the ruling "terrible" and believed Fitzpatrick had intentionally teed off with the damaged club on hole eight to demonstrate its impact on his ball flight.
Ultimately, Fitzpatrick's season ended in 40th place in the FedEx Cup standings, with three Top 10 finishes but no wins. The frustrating incident at the BMW Championship served as a bitter end to an otherwise successful season for the British golfer.
