“They’re both guilty” – Caddies weigh in on Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland's possible rules violation at Masters

Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland were set free by the Masters Tournament Committee after investigating a potential rules violation. The golfers and their caddies allegedly broke Rule 10-2a on the 15th hole at Augusta National during Thursday’s first round. However, no action was taken against them.

According to Rule 10-2a, during a round, a player must not give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing on the course, ask anyone for advice other than the player’s caddie, or touch another player’s equipment to learn information that would be advice if given by or asked of the other player. It has been alleged that the LIV golfer’s caddie was seen saying "five" in the direction of Woodland’s caddie ahead of Koepka’s second shot, indicating that Koepka used a 5-iron for the shot.

With the issue brought to light again on Friday, different caddies decided to weigh in on the matter. Several veteran caddies came in to slam the action and dubbed the two golfers’ “guilty” of violation. Dismissing the Masters Tournament Committee’s decision to let the golfers free without action, a caddie noted it was an “unfortunate situation.”

Speaking about the Koepka-Woodland incident, an unnamed caddie for a current exempt Tour pro said, as quoted by Golfweek:

“It seemed pretty blatant. I think all they had to do was ask Brooks one question: What club did you hit? And that would’ve said all that needs to be said. That stuff happens but it doesn’t happen vocally. You can go look in the bag and not touch anything and get a pretty good idea. Sometimes, the guys flash fingers to the TV people and you just watch for that. It happens. When he’s vocal like that, that’s a no-no, that’s a violation. I think they both should get dinged. They’re both guilty.”

Another longtime caddie with more than 10 years of experience also noted that Brooks Koepka and his caddie Ricky Elliott should’ve been penalized. He mentioned that PGA Tour rules officials couldn't take action even if they wanted to because Masters doesn't fall under PGA jurisdiction. Meanwhile, caddie Andy Martinez, who has caddied on the PGA Tour for more than 50 years, came out dismissing the whole incident.

He said:

“Wow, so that’s what professional golf has gotten into now, lip reading? One of my rules is I don’t look in another guy’s bag. My thinking is if you have all the right numbers and you’ve got your player out there and you need help from the other guy, that’s pathetic. I’ve seen guys like that over the year. They almost expect you to tip them off but not from me.”

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Paul McGinley slams 'staggering' rules violation at Masters

It is pertinent to note that the comments from the various caddies came after former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley came out to slam the Masters committee for letting Koepka free. McGinley said that the violation was “obvious.”

McGinley, who works at Augusta National as an analyst for the Golf Channel, said:

“It’s very obvious… it’s staggering that they’ve denied it because the evidence is there. This is common practice on tour. Whether you like it or not, it happens in every professional tournament around the world.”

The matter has become a big talking point amid the ongoing tournament in Augusta. The Masters Tournament Committee is receiving flak from pros as well as fans for releasing a statement in favor of the players, who allegedly violated the rule.