English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has publicly criticized Open champion Xander Schauffele, accusing him of exploiting a rule change in golf.
The contentious rule, revised in 2019, permits players to repair any damage on the green, including spike marks, ball marks, indentations, and animal damage.
Pepperell contends that Schauffele habitually taps down spike marks within three feet of the hole, marks that Pepperell believes do not actually exist.
Discussing the issue on “The Chipping Forecast” podcast, Pepperell clarified that he does not consider Schauffele a cheat and acknowledges his talent and potential to win more majors. However, he pointed out that Schauffele’s frequent use of this rule sets him apart from other players. According to Pepperell, this practice, where Schauffele applies significant pressure to the green with his putter, effectively abuses the rule change.
Despite his criticism, Pepperell admitted that Schauffele’s actions do not constitute rule-breaking. He emphasized that his observations should not detract from Schauffele’s skill and success, including his recent victory at the 2024 Open Championship, where he overcame a strong challenge from England’s Justin Rose to secure the claret jug.
In response to queries about Schauffele’s behavior possibly being a habit, Pepperell described it as a “strange habit” but reiterated his belief that the rule change itself is problematic.
Schauffele, who also won the PGA Championship at Valhalla earlier this year, remains a formidable player despite the controversy surrounding his interpretation of the rules.
