Haotong Li penalized under 2019 new rule

Haotong Li was penalized during the final round at the Dubai Desert Classic, costing him two strokes, and dropping him from T3 to T12.

The infraction Haotong Li was penalized for happened on the 72nd hole of the weekend. The official rule can be found in detail under the golf rules, 10.2.b.4, under the caddie section. Basically, it says that the caddie can not be in the line of play as the player starts to take their stance.

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This is what Li was penalized for, and it looked to be completely incidental. As Haotong Li stepped up to his putt, his right foot was in its final position, while his caddie was still in the line behind him. At nearly the same time, the caddie stepped away, and Li finished setting up for his putt. By definition of the rule, a penalty was committed.

From looking at the incident, it does not look like there was intent at all. The putt was inside 3 feet, and Li doesn’t look back at his caddie. Being on the 72nd hole, Li was informed as he was walking to the scoring area that the infraction was being enforced. This cost him around $100,000, as he dropped from T3 to T12.

Li didn’t speak to reporters after the incident, but the CEO of the European Tour did. Keith Pelley took to the mic after the tournament, saying that the incident was ruled correctly by the referee’s. He did blast against the rule in itself though, stating that “….It is my strong belief, however, that the fact there is no discretion available to our referees when implementing rulings such as this is wrong and should be addressed immediately.”

The amount of support for Li, and opposition to the decision and rule has been strong. Most see the penalty as being worded too strictly, with no room for interpretation.

I agree as well. It really does look like the caddie just stands there for a split second too long. Pairing that with the quick stance taken by Li, lead to this situation happening. As with so many other rules in sports, there should be a window of interpretation for the referee’s too look at.

Haotong Li wasn’t using his caddie for assistance here. He never looked back at him to make sure his line was set, or for assistance in the putt once he approached. The rule is a good one to have in place, but it needs to be worded differently. If a player lines up, and you see him start looking back and forth at his caddie to make sure he has the exact line he wants, a penalty should be applied.

This didn’t happen, and the rule should be changed. Until then, caddies and golfers beware. Stay away from the line, cause it could cost you six figures.