Rory McIlroy leads criticism of USGA after hugely controversial Dustin Johnson penalty shot incident

SportsJOE

A farce.

Whatever your allegiances lie – and most people reading this are probably firmly in the Shane Lowry camp – you have to give everyone a fair chance.

Spare a thought then for Dustin Johnson.

Leading the US Open on the final round, having closed the gap on Lowry, Johnson is in hot pursuit of his first major.

But on the 12th tee he was told by course officials that he may face a one-shot penalty when his round is completed for an alleged grounding of his putter on the 5th green.

Talk about messing with his head. How is he supposed to concentrate fully knowing that decision is pending? Either penalise him or don’t. But make a decision on it.

The USGA have come in for some serious flak for their actions with Rory McIlroy brandishing their actions ‘amateur hour’ and even Shane Lowry’s cousin David calling their actions “appalling”

The key question is whether Johnson caused the ball to move and whether or not he grounded his club.

Replays show that the ball moved on the 5th tee as Johnson was practicing his putting stroke. But he hadn’t grounded his putter and you can even here Lee Westwood saying “It rolled that way but you hadn’t addressed it”.

The criticism came thick and fast.

This is ridiculous… No penalty whatsoever for DJ. Let the guy play without this crap in his head. Amateur hour from @USGA

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016

Obviously I want Shane to win, but what the @USGA have done to DJ there is appalling stuff

— Dave Lowry (@daveredlowry) June 19, 2016

No way DJ gets a penalty. Use some common sense @usga The greens are running 14 and are sloppier than Mount Everest

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) June 19, 2016

Huge drama here: Johnson incident to be assessed after round. The fact they told him this on 12th tee…?

— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) June 19, 2016

Lot of talk on whether USGA should've told DJ they were reviewing potential violation. If they don't, he might play differently. Tough call.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 19, 2016

Crazy situation. You cannot have a guy playing closing stretch of a major unsure if a penalty upcoming or not.

— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) June 19, 2016

Disgraceful/absurd that officials tell Dustin Johnson midway through final round of US Open he may be subject to a one shot penalty at end.

— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) June 19, 2016