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PGA, Golf Herren PGA Championship – Practice Round, May 18, 2021 Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA General view of tee flag during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports, 18.05.2021 11:00:48, 16105684, Ocean Course, PGA, NPStrans, PGA Championship PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxYeazellx 16105684

USA Today via Reuters
PGA, Golf Herren PGA Championship – Practice Round, May 18, 2021 Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA General view of tee flag during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports, 18.05.2021 11:00:48, 16105684, Ocean Course, PGA, NPStrans, PGA Championship PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxYeazellx 16105684
As the golfing world eagerly awaits the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, a veil of controversy hangs in the air. In the lead-up to this highly anticipated tournament, discussions and debates have sparked among fans and experts alike, creating a buzz of anticipation and curiosity.
As the golfers gear up to showcase their skills on the challenging course, all eyes are on Oak Hill, eagerly waiting to see how this story unfolds and impacts the prestigious event. An announcement this close to the tournament has gotten fans and players talking.
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The controversy surrounding the rule change
Days ahead of the highly anticipated 2023 PGA Championship, authorities have announced a major rule change that is set to stir up controversy and spark intense debate among golf enthusiasts. An internal out of bounds has been introduced for this year’s tournament, a decision that has historically divided opinions in the world of golf.
Specifically, players who find themselves on the seventh fairway while playing the sixth hole will be deemed out of bounds, regardless of intention.

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Golf – European Tour – BMW PGA Championship – Wentworth Golf Club, Virginia Water, Britain – September 7, 2022 Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy during the Pro-Am Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
The implementation of this rule can be traced back to previous instances of internal out-of-bounds at Major tournaments, such as the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, where a similar regulation famously caught Rory McIlroy off-guard, resulting in a disappointing missed cut.
Navigating the out-of-bounds rule: The unique challenge of Oak Hill’s sixth hole
According to this out-of-bounds rule, the seventh fairway is out of bounds for players who are playing the sixth hole. This rule creates a unique challenge and strategic consideration for players on the sixth hole. The seventh fairway, which is adjacent to the sixth hole, becomes a forbidden area for players during their play on the sixth hole. If a player’s shot goes astray and ends up on the seventh fairway, they will incur a penalty and need to take a stroke and distance penalty by returning to the original spot and playing their next shot from there.

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Golf Course,Sentosa Island,Singapore
The implementation of this specific rule at Oak Hill adds an additional layer of difficulty and demands precision from players. It requires them to carefully navigate their shots on the sixth hole. While taking into account the position of the seventh fairway and aiming to keep their shots within the boundaries of the designated fairway. This rule change can influence players’ strategies and shot selections. As they aim to avoid the penalty of being deemed out of bounds on the adjacent fairway.
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By introducing this internal out-of-bounds rule, Oak Hill creates a unique challenge and strategic element specific to the PGA Championship tournament. Which adds to the excitement and drama of the event.
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