When Adjustable Drivers Are Too Adjustable, Howell DQ Edition
/There was an expensive DQ for Charles Howell in the Wyndham Championship when a USGA staff member alerted PGA Tour officials that Howell had posted his second round 68 using the new SLDR driver minus the "toe-cap."
Adam Schupak reports Howell's written statement and a response from Taylor Made.
When Wallin informed Howell of the infraction before his 8:45 a.m. tee time, Howell said, “That kind of means I’m gone.”
Indeed, it does.
“What that little port cover coming off did was made the club non-conforming because there’s a little hole under that cover that they use to put a hot wax weight in the club and without that cover on there, the club has a hole through it which you cannot have,” Wallin said. “You cannot have a hole that’s uncovered into the club or going through the club. So that’s what made the club non-conforming.”
TaylorMade released a statement on Saturday afternoon.
“TaylorMade has been making drivers with movable parts since 2004,” said Dave Cordero, a TaylorMade public relations manager. “What happened in the case of Charles Howell III’s driver is very rare and we will make the necessary adjustments to ensure this does not happen again.”