Did Kevin Roy Get Away with Breaking the Rules at John Deere Classic?

Newsweek

a day ago

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The John Deere Classic is known as a scorer's paradise, but during this year's third round, it was a bunker ruling, not a birdie, that shocked Sky Sports announcer and gained the spotlight.
PGA Tour pro Kevin Roy, in contention at TPC Deere Run, sparked controversy when he called in a rules official after leaving his first bunker shot in the sand.
What followed left fans fuming and Sky Sports commentator Dame Laura Davies openly confused on air.
SILVIS, ILLINOIS - JULY 05: A tournament sign is seen on the second hole during the third round of the John Deere Classic 2025 at TPC Deere Run on July 05, 2025 in Silvis, Illinois....
SILVIS, ILLINOIS - JULY 05: A tournament sign is seen on the second hole during the third round of the John Deere Classic 2025 at TPC Deere Run on July 05, 2025 in Silvis, Illinois. (Photo by) More
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"I'm baffled by this. He should be penalized," she said, adding, "that's not how the game is meant to be played."
Roy held the lead while playing the par-4 11th. However, his approach shot found the greenside bunker. On his third, he failed to clear the sand and watched the ball roll back to him, coming to rest in front of his footprint.
Instead of playing his next shot immediately, he waited for his group to finish putting, then asked for a rules official. He wanted to rake the sand before hitting again.
Rake the bunker BEFORE your shot? Yes, if you know this rule. pic.twitter.com/TBlJY6FwDx — USGA (@USGA) July 5, 2025
The official ruled that the footprint wasn't in his line of play, allowing him to smooth the area without penalty under Rule 12.2b(2). But Davies wasn't buying it.
"That's not in the spirit of the game," she added. "It's not what we teach young players."
The moment quickly went viral. Golf analyst Joseph LaMagna posted, "Wait, why was Kevin Roy allowed to rake that bunker??"
Fans echoed the sentiment, calling it "Bad!!!!" While others shared the same sentiment, typing, "This is very bad, blatantly trying to abuse the rules and no pushback from the official"
Roy, who is making his 50th PGA Tour start, had been playing solid golf all week with rounds of 65, 67, and 70, briefly climbing into the top 10, four shots off the lead.
The 34-year-old is still chasing his first Tour win and recently posted a T8 finish at the Rocket Classic. But this ruling may overshadow his performance.
As the final round tees off, all eyes are on Davis Thompson, who leads at 15-under and is aiming to become the first back-to-back winner at the John Deere since Steve Stricker's three-peat (2009–2011).
He's followed closely by Max Homa, David Lipsky, Emiliano Grillo, and Brian Campbell, all at 14-under. The $8.4 million purse includes $1.512 million for the winner and 500 FedEx Cup points.
More Golf: Recent PGA Tour Winner Mysteriously Withdraws from John Deere Classic