Justin Thomas Penalized at RBC Heritage: A Closer Look
Leader After 36 Holes, Thomas Faces Penalty on Hole 2
Justin Thomas, the current world No. 8, faced a setback during the RBC Heritage on Friday. While leading the tournament after 36 holes, Thomas received a penalty stroke on the par-4 second hole at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Justin Thomas was assessed a one-stroke penalty after he caused his ball to move in a waste bunker … pic.twitter.com/HccDGUgOo8
Thomas, who was in a fairway bunker on the second hole, moved some debris around his ball. In doing so, he caused the ball to move, which resulted in a penalty stroke under Rule 12.2a of the USGA’s Rules of Golf.
Thomas’ Response and Impact on the Leaderboard
Thomas, knowing he had infringed upon the rules, immediately called for an official. After reviewing the incident, he was penalized one stroke. His bogey on the hole left him tied with K.T. Kim at -13.
Thomas, a Louisville, Kentucky native, is seeking his first PGA Tour win since his 2022 PGA Championship triumph. He’ll have to overcome this penalty as he continues his pursuit of the RBC Heritage title.
Did You Know?
Rule 12.2a states that a player must not touch their ball in play, except as permitted by the Rules. If a player’s ball moves as a result of touching it, the player gets one penalty stroke.
FAQs
What rule did Justin Thomas violate?
Thomas violated Rule 12.2a, which states that a player must not touch their ball in play, except as permitted by the Rules.
How many strokes was Thomas penalized?
Thomas was penalized one stroke.
What’s Next for Thomas?
Thomas will look to bounce back from this penalty and continue his strong play. He’ll need to maintain his focus and avoid any further penalties if he wants to secure his first PGA Tour win since 2022.
Stay tuned for more updates on the RBC Heritage and Justin Thomas’ pursuit of the title.