You have seen the videos circulate across social media by now.
PGA Tour pros must “set an example” for everyone, says Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy addressed the poor etiquette some players displayed last week at the Valspar Championship.
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.
Last week at the Valspar Championship, numerous PGA Tour pros displayed poor etiquette out of frustration. Fans on the ground and viewers at home saw it live on television or captured it on camera. Among the culprits was Patton Kizzire, who took his putter and punted it across the green like Ray Guy pinning one in the coffin corner. That undoubtedly left a sizeable mark, a big no-no for any player, let alone a PGA Tour member.
Then, Sahith Theegala tomahawked an iron across a tee box after missing the green by 30 yards. Jordan Spieth uncorked a vicious ‘F-bomb’ after hitting a poor chip. And Adam Hadwin set off sprinkler heads after slamming his club into the ground. All the apologetic Canadian could do was say, “Sorrey.”
Granted, these moments had a dose of humor and provided some entertainment. But golf is a game that follows proper decorum. Sure, expressing emotion is always acceptable and often celebrated. Look how Tiger Woods roared on seemingly every Sunday.
But there is a line.
And that line was crossed.
“It can be relatable, but at the same time, you want to try to set a proper example. Like you don’t want — you don’t want 10-year-old kids punting their putters across the green every time they miss a putt,” said Rory McIlroy ahead of this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open.
“But at the same time, it does show that we are human, and it shows the human side to ourselves. But at the same time, we have a responsibility to set an example, and golf is a lot about the etiquette of the game and doing the right thing. There’s a balance to be struck there.”
McIlroy hit the nail on the head as he so often does.
PGA Tour pros represent the sport as a whole. Every amateur wants to be them, emulate them, and pretend they are playing in the U.S. Open.
Setting a good example is essential for the next generation of players. Continuing to do the exact opposite will undoubtedly backfire down the line.
These players have since apologized, and hopefully everyone can learn from their mistakes.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
