Australian golfer Greg Chalmers was disqualified during the third round of the PGA Tour Champions‘ Boeing Classic on Sunday due to a rare equipment-related rules violation, marking a surprising end to his tournament. The unusual incident occurred at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, where Chalmers inadvertently used a lob wedge fitted with a motion sensor, leading to the disqualification.
Chalmers’ Strong Start Cut Short by Compliance Breach
Before the disqualification, the 51-year-old Chalmers was playing well with scores of 69 and 71 through the first two rounds, positioning himself eight strokes behind leader Stewart Cink. Although the win was unlikely, a top-10 finish seemed within reach, promising additional earnings. However, the rules infraction on the third round halted his progress abruptly.
Details of the Disqualification Incident
Chalmers discovered the sensor on his lob wedge after hitting a shot from a bunker on the third hole. Sharing the story on social media, he said,
Had a freaky DQ today. Buried in bunker on 3rd… grab my lob wedge and hack it across over off the green on other side. As I’m putting club back in bag I notice a blast motion sensor attached to the end of it… (I’d thought I’d lost it ages ago, but apparently it was in my bag for a while).
—Greg Chalmers, PGA Tour Champions player
According to USGA Rule 4.1b(1), using a non-conforming club during play results in disqualification. However, carrying such a club without using it would not have triggered a penalty, though it still counts toward the 14-club limit allowed.
A rules official confirmed the disqualification after consulting USGA regulations. Chalmers explained,
Talk to rules officials, they call [the USGA] and find out it’s a DQ for me for using a non conforming club.
—Greg Chalmers, PGA Tour Champions player
Chalmers Reflects on the Unusual Circumstance
Despite the setback, Chalmers took the incident in stride. He humorously noted the silver lining in his misfortune with the remark,
On the plus side, Steve Allan won again and I caught an earlier flight to Calgary.
—Greg Chalmers, PGA Tour Champions player
Steve Allan, another Australian, secured the Boeing Classic victory by shooting a final-round seven-under 65, finishing at 15-under par and edging past Stewart Cink to claim the $345,000 first-place prize.
Upcoming Events and Tournament Context
The PGA Tour Champions season progresses this week with the Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Canada. This event carries a total purse of $2.5 million, attracting top senior tour professionals eager to contend.
Chalmers’ unexpected PGA Tour Champions disqualification incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to equipment regulations in professional golf, where even a forgotten sensor can end a player’s tournament. How players and officials manage these rules will remain a notable aspect as the season moves forward.