Ex-LIV Golf star Pablo Larrazabal calls on R&A to 'check the rules' to make the game 'fair'

Former LIV golfer Pablo Larrazabal urged R&A to check on a rule to make it fair for the players. The Spanish golfer had competed on the Saudi Circuit but then returned to the European Tour. He currently competes in DP World Tour events, where he has won nine tournaments.

Larrazabal is playing in this week's BMW PGA Championship, and following the first round of the tournament on September 19, the Barcelona-born golfer took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to call out the officials regarding a rule.

"Dear @RandA. Do you think is fair to hit the middle of the fairway in the hardest hole of the course and end up in another players pitch mark and NO relief? I know that is unlucky but come on… check the rules of our game to make it fair please. Thank you and see you guys soon," Pablo Larrazabal wrote.

However, a fan in the comments section shared a screenshot of Rule 16.3b, which talks about players getting relief if their tee ball is embedded in the "general area."

Pablo Larrazábal quickly replied to the fan, clarifying his stance that he was talking about when the ball ends up in another player's pitch mark, not one's own. He replied:

"You have a drop only if is your own pitch mark… no other guys pitch mark. 🤦🏻‍♂️"

Notably, Rule 16 of golf deals with:

"Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions), Dangerous Animal Condition, Embedded Ball."

Rule 16.3 specifically addresses the embedded ball, stating that:

"There is no relief under this rule if the ball is embedded anywhere except in the general area."

Moreover, it also provides guidance to determine when the ball is embedded. It says the ball is embedded when:

"It is in its own pitch-mark made as a result of the player’s previous stroke, and Part of the ball is below the level of the ground."

Meanwhile, Pablo Larrazabal had a decent start at the ongoing DP World Tour event. He shot 1-under par in the first round and tied for 54th place. He made five birdies and four bogeys on Thursday to score 1-under 71.

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Pablo Larrazabal calls out shirtless caddie celebrations at 2024 Solheim Cup

Last week at the 2024 Solheim Cup, Alison Lee and Megan Khang's caddies celebrated Lee’s hole-out by removing their shirts. This celebration was part of a bet made by Khang's caddie, Jack Fulghum, who had challenged the golfers, offering a $500 bet if they could make a hole-out during the tournament.

However, Lee revised the bet, stating that Fulghum would have to remove his shirt if she made the hole-out. Even Lee's caddie agreed to the bet.

Soon after, the American golfer made the hole-out, and the caddies removed their shirts in celebration. However, Pablo Larrazabal was critical of the celebration and tweeted:

"Shirts off from caddies to celebrate a great shot at the Solheim Cup? 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ The game that I love is going to far the wrong way."

The 2024 Solheim Cup concluded last Sunday, September 15, with Team USA winning the prestigious trophy on their home soil.