There is no daylight between Matti Schmid's left thumb and his shirt, leading to discussions about whether he might be 'anchoring' his putter Germany's Matti Schmid used his broom-handle putter to address his ball as he faced another crucial tap-in en route to second place at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday - his best PGA Tour finish. Briefly, the television cameras showed the top end of his club. A clenched left hand had its thumb resting on top of the grip. His blue patterned shirt creased around the knuckle of his thumb. The image begged some questions: was that knuckle also in contact with his chest? If so, was it wedged against his sternum? Had he found a fixed anchor point? Was he breaking the rules? Or was it OK? BBC Sport has contacted Schmid's representatives, but the very fact his technique could be questioned - with no definitive answer - means a brilliant putting display could fall under an unwelcome spotlight. Rule 10.1 of the Rules of Golf states: "When making a stroke, a player must not anchor the club" by "doing it 'directly', by holding the club or a 'gripping hand' against any part of the body". There was certainly no daylight between Schmid's left thumb and his shirt, and when I showed a screengrab of the image to a leading referee he acknowledged it was a "bad look". But he also pointed out that the rules state: "If the player's club, gripping hand or forearm merely touches their body or clothing during the stroke, without being held against the body, there is no breach of this rule." So we - as observers - do not know whether Schmid's putt was legal or not. Despitelegislation coming into effectalmost a decade ago, the issue of 'anchoring' continues to be one of the murkiest in the game. If anything, it feels as though it is becoming ever more pertinent. Schmid topped the putting stats at Colonial as he finished second to Ben Griffin. After gaining more than eight strokes on the field with his prowess on the greens, that runner-up finish propelled the two-time former European Amateur champion to 55th in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings. None of this is to say the 27-year-old's action broke any rules. There may be enough lateral movement in his stroke to suggest he is not stabilising to a fixed point. But the broader topic remains one of the hottest in professional locker rooms. "He's probably OK," the referee I spoke to added. "He's probably just touching the shirt material, but by what he is trying to achieve he's going to be as close as possible to his chest, and therefore player integrity comes into it." Another official, who referees on the DP World Tour, said on condition of anonymity: "It is super difficult to enforce. "We have spoken to a couple of players who we felt were getting close to breaching the rule and they actually have gone back to shorter putters, which is good. "But ultimately you have to go with the integrity of the players. How do you enforce it? It is your word against theirs. You're in no man's land." The rule was introduced in 2016 after a spate of majors were won by golfers using extended putter shafts. Keegan Bradley anchored in his midriff towin the 2011 US PGA,as did Ernie Els for hisOpen triumphthe following year. There were broom-handle major wins for Webb Simpson in the2012 US Openand Adam Scott a year laterat the Masters.The Aussie continues to use the long putter, but with daylight between his stroke and his body. Protecting the "fundamental characteristics of the putting stroke" was the reason for banning anchoring nine years ago. It is OK for an extended shaft to be clamped against a forearm (as US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau does) because that moves to make the hit. But there are those in the game who feel even this technique makes putting "too easy". And there are plenty more exponents who continue to shun convention and go with longer implements. Along with Schmid, the likes of Akshay Bhatia, Si Woo Kim and Lucas Glover use these potentially contentious clubs to great effect. Bernhard Langer and Scott McCarron have long endured their techniques being questioned on the Seniors tour, and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra's Indian Open win on the DP World Tour last March drew focus. Langer and McCarron have vehemently denied breaching the rules. Back in 2017, Langer said: "I personally don't understand it because I'm a man of integrity, and the last thing I want to do is break rules and be known as cheating. "I know when I'm anchoring and when I'm not anchoring because I control my hand. It goes sideways, you can see it. "So when my knuckle is away from the body, I'm not anchoring or touching any part of my body and I know I'm within the rules." The problem is that in many cases it is not evident to the naked eye and is impossible to enforce either way. It means an issue as fundamental as the putting stroke is shrouded in more grey areas than a flotilla of battleships, which is highly unsatisfactory and not fair on the likes of Schmid when they dominate so brilliantly on the greens. DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell believes the solution is "quite simple". "Insist on the putter being the shortest club in the bag," he told theChipping Forecast podcast. Some referees agree. "Easy solution is just limit the maximum length of the putter and be done with it," said one official. Another said: "The powers that be should be looking at it. If there is a rule, we should be able to enforce it."
How Schmid screengrab reignited putter debate
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Matti Schmid's Putting Technique Raises Questions About Anchoring Rules"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Matti Schmid's recent performance at the Charles Schwab Challenge has sparked renewed debate regarding the legality of his putting technique. During the tournament, Schmid used a broom-handle putter, and a specific image captured by television cameras showed his left thumb resting firmly against the grip, with no visible gap between his thumb and his shirt. This detail led to speculation about whether his thumb was also in contact with his chest, potentially indicating that he was anchoring his putter, which is against the Rules of Golf. Rule 10.1 explicitly prohibits players from anchoring the club by holding it against their body. While a leading referee acknowledged that the image presented a concerning appearance, he clarified that if the club merely touches the body or clothing without being pressed against it, it does not constitute a breach of the rule. This ambiguity leaves observers uncertain about the legality of Schmid's stroke despite his remarkable performance that placed him second in the tournament and significantly improved his standing in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup rankings.
The issue of anchoring in golf has been contentious since the introduction of the ban in 2016, following several major victories by players using longer putters anchored against their bodies. While some golfers have adapted their techniques to comply with the rules, others have faced scrutiny over their methods, leading to ongoing discussions about the enforcement of these regulations. Schmid, alongside other players like Akshay Bhatia and Si Woo Kim, continues to utilize longer putters, which has raised questions about fairness and integrity in the sport. Notably, past champions like Bernhard Langer have defended their techniques, asserting their compliance with the rules. The debate persists as officials and players alike grapple with the complexities of enforcing the anchoring rule, with some suggesting that limiting the length of putters could provide a straightforward solution to this ongoing controversy. As golf continues to evolve, the challenge of balancing innovation with the integrity of the game remains a critical concern for players and officials alike.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article focuses on a recent incident involving golfer Matti Schmid and his putting technique, which has sparked a renewed debate over the rules of anchoring in golf. The image captured by television cameras during the Charles Schwab Challenge raises critical questions about whether Schmid's grip on his broom-handle putter violates the rules set forth by the sport's governing bodies.
Purpose of the Article
The intent behind this news piece appears to be to highlight the ongoing controversy surrounding anchoring in golf, particularly as it pertains to Schmid's performance. By bringing attention to the nuances of his technique, the article aims to engage readers in a discussion about the integrity of the game and the enforcement of its rules.
Public Perception
This news is likely to shape public perception by casting doubt on Schmid’s playing style and potentially his achievements. It invites readers to consider whether exceptional performance can be overshadowed by questions of legality, thus creating a sense of scrutiny around successful athletes.
Hidden Agendas
While the article primarily focuses on a single golfer's technique, it may also serve to distract from broader issues within the sport or the PGA Tour, such as the ongoing debates about reforms or the performance of other players. The timing and focus could suggest an attempt to shift attention away from other controversies or performances in the sport.
Manipulative Elements
The article’s framing could be seen as manipulative, particularly in how it emphasizes the ambiguity of the rules surrounding anchoring. By using phrases like "bad look," it invites readers to draw conclusions about Schmid's integrity without providing a definitive answer. The lack of clarity may instill a sense of distrust among fans and players.
Credibility of the News
The credibility of this news piece is bolstered by referencing official rules and consulting with a leading referee. However, the subjective nature of the questions raised about Schmid's grip creates a gray area that can be interpreted in multiple ways, making it difficult to draw a clear conclusion about the legality of his technique.
Community Impact
The article may resonate more with golf enthusiasts who are invested in the technicalities of the game. It could foster discussions among players, officials, and fans about the future of putting techniques and the potential need for rule adjustments, especially as the debate over anchoring continues to evolve.
Potential Market Reactions
While this news might not have a direct impact on stock markets, it could influence the endorsements and sponsorships associated with players like Schmid. Companies involved in golf equipment may pay closer attention to the public's reaction to such controversies, which could indirectly affect their market strategies.
Global Perspectives
From a broader perspective, this article ties into ongoing discussions around sports ethics and fair play, which are relevant across various sporting disciplines. The scrutiny of athletes' techniques reflects a global trend toward increased transparency and fairness in sports.
The article walks a fine line between informing the public and inciting debate, ultimately aiming to engage readers in a conversation about the evolving nature of golf rules and standards.