Controversies and golfers often go hand in hand. Something which was evident in the case of Thomas Pieters. On the 23rd of September, Pieters, playing at the Cazoo Open de France, sparked controversy by re-making a putt he apparently missed due to a distraction from the crowd’s end.

The action opened the room for discussion in the golf world. While a section of fans backed his step, another section called him out, asserting that he had played the stroke. However, while the two sections were busy putting out their opinions, it was the man himself, who later released a statement, coming out clean about the incident.

Thomas Pieters clears the incident that forced him to re-make his putt

Following the incident, Pieters took to his Twitter handle, putting up a tweet. The tweet featured the clip of the incident, coupled with his clarification.

“So kid coughed in my backstroke. I tried to stop… didn’t Called a local referee who called another referee who both deemed it not a penalty. That decision is final. Got told after I finished it should have been a penalty but original ruling stands,” he wrote. 

The incident took place when Pieters was gearing up for his 35-foot birdie putt. Having fellow golfers Ewen Ferguson and Victor Perez around, the 30-year-old took his stance to make the shot. While he started his swing, he was apparently distracted by the cough of the kid. Even though he attempted to stop his swing, it was a little too late as he knocked the ball forward.

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Following the incident, he conversed with the official, opening up about the incident along with demanding another shot. While the officials looked giving serious thought to the incident, it was only after much discussion that Pieters was allowed to re-make his putt.

While there is no confirmation about the ruling applied in this case, many assumed that Pieters was allowed to re-make his putt under Rule 13d of the Rulebook of Golf.

Re-making the shot, Pieters with a score of -5, went ahead finishing the second day of the tournament at T7. However, with a visibly strong game in place, fans hope to see the current World No. 34 rise on the leaderboard.

What are your opinions on Pieters’ controversial shot? Let us know in the comments below.

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