Local Rule E-3: Preferred lies or the winter rules are implemented when a course is hit with inclement weather, including heavy rainfall. It allows a golfer to pick up the ball, clean the mud off it, and place it within one club length or six inches of the original spot.

Entering Championship Sunday, the stakes had already risen at the 2026 Cognizant Classic. All thanks to the Irish star, Shane Lowry. He shot a flawless 8-under 63 to jump to the top of the leaderboard. However, he may not be able to carry this momentum ahead as the PGA Tour had to enforce a controversial rule on the course.

With the weather conditions expected to get worse, the PGA Tour Communications confirmed, “Preferred lies are in effect for the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.”

As per the weather report, there is a 35 percent chance of precipitation between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. (local time) today. There is also a 30 percent possibility of lightning from 2 P.M. onwards, with gusts going up to 20 mph.

The rule was implemented during the final round of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as well. Even then, the volatile weather had played a spoilsport in changing the dynamic of the challenges on the fairway. That may have cost Akshay Bhatia a possible third PGA Tour title win.

It was also forced during the Genesis Invitational’s first round. However, the weather got worse, and Thursday’s round was suspended. And just like then, the leaderboard is heating up at the Palm Beaches.

Lowry and Austin Smotherman are leading the table to begin the final round. The Irishman has experience playing in windy conditions, having spent most of his life competing on links courses. However, the 31-year-old Smotherman may find it difficult to adapt to the final 18-holes and secure his first PGA Tour win. Even if the preferred lies actually play to his advantage.

That said, the controversial rule has already received a lot of criticism in the past for being unfair.

The preferred lies rule is just another controversial rule in golf

Bringing the preferred lies rule into play once in a while is understandable, especially when the conditions on the fairway are quite drastic. However, it has been enforced quite often recently, only adding to the previous dislike towards it.

They saw the worst of it during the TOUR Championship, which was riddled with weather issues. Three rounds of the FedEx Cup playoff event were ruined by heavy precipitation. That had forced the PGA Tour to take some shocking decisions.

The Tour had enforced the preferred lies rule for three straight rounds of the event. While the official USGA website specifies that the rule should only be used during inclement weather. It also states that the rule should be removed as soon as things settle down. Still, many can’t help but believe there’s some unfair advantage involved, considering that not the entire field, but only the groups affected by the weather, get the help.

Many criticized the ruling committee for altering the rules to suit the top players like Scottie Scheffler & Co. While that may not have been the case, the general dislike for the rule is still consistent.