By Frank Pingue
AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) – Clubhouse leader Brooks Koepka said he was questioned by Augusta National officials following his second round on Friday after TV footage appeared to show the LIV Golf player giving a five-fingered signal to Gary Woodland on the opening day of play.
Koepka used a five-iron from 237 yards out to find the green at the par-five 15th hole during the first round on Thursday and then removed his glove with his fingers spread out.
Officials wanted to know if Koepka was passing information to playing partner Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, who had 216 yards left to the pin after his tee shot.
“Today was just about my — I guess my hand and my glove. I don’t know if you’re supposed to take your glove off with your fist closed or what now,” said Koepka.
After Thursday’s first round the tournament’s competition committee questioned those in the group as Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliot appeared to mouth “five” twice to playing competitor Woodland’s caddie Brennan Little.
The committee said in a statement “all involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested” and ultimately determined that there was no breach of the rules.
“The funny part about it is I think if he would have known we were hitting five, he would have hit six because I don’t think Gary is that short and he’s 10 in front of me, 12 in front of me?” said Koepka.
Woodland, whose second shot cleared the pond and settled just beyond a greenside bunker, said on Friday after an even-par 72 that he and his caddie did not hear or see anything.
“I hit my shot. When we were walking down, I asked Brooks what he hit, and he said five,” said Woodland. “If I would have known that, I probably would have hit six-iron, and I would have hit six-iron in the middle of the water.
“Luckily for me, I didn’t know what he hit. That’s the end of it.”
(Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
