PGA Tour notified Smith rules authorities that he had breached Rule 14.7 and was now nine under and four back after beginning the day at 11 under and two strokes off the lead held by J.J. Spaun.
After analyzing the video from Round 3 of Smith's drop at the fourth hole, a par 3, officials learned of the infraction. A breach of Rule 17.1 (when the ball is in the penalty area) is evident in the video of Smith dropping and playing his subsequent shot from the hazard line, turning his bogey-4 into a triple-bogey.
Gary Young, the chief referee for the PGA Tour, stated: "When I asked him the question [whether his golf ball was on the hazard line], regrettably, he answered, 'No, the ball was touching the line. "After that, there is no going back. I am confident that the player was aware that the ball had touched the line at that precise instant; nonetheless, he was unaware of the requirement that the entire ball is outside the penalty area and in his relief area.
According to Young, a little over an hour before Smith's tee time for the final round, he told Smith of the penalty. After his game, Smith declined to talk to the media.
Young remarked, "His response to me is, "The rules are the rules." He merely consented to the two-stroke fine. He walked out of the office with great composure, continuing with his daily activities.
Smith's headlines have dominated them all week, and this was just another one. Smith is prepared to transfer to the rival league supported by Saudi Arabia, LIV Golf, according to Australian golfer Cam Percy and a report in The Telegraph. Smith has steadfastly declined to comment on the allegations.
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