'Controversial Golf Rule'... 'Beon's Power Driver'

Last Year Sanderson Farms Championship 2R Hole 9

It was unfortunate to have to take another shot despite a perfect tee shot.

Sam Burns shows a bewildered expression as his tee shot on the 9th hole of the second round at the Sanderson Farms Championship gets caught on a power line and falls. Photo by Golf.com

This is the story of Sam Burns (USA). It happened on the 9th hole (par 4) of the second round at the Sanderson Farms Championship (total prize money $7.9 million) held last September at the Country Club of Jackson (par 72, 7,461 yards) in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, part of the PGA Tour. Burns grabbed his driver and hit a powerful tee shot straight down the middle of the fairway. The impact felt so perfect that it gave a thrilling sensation.

However, Burns' ball got caught on the power lines. According to golf rule E-11, "If a ball is caught on a power line during a round, the stroke does not count. The player must take another shot without penalty." Burns was very disappointed. He honestly said, "It was a really good shot, but being told to hit again didn’t feel great."

Burns made a mistake on his second tee shot, which hooked to the left, but fortunately, he finished the hole with a par. Burns, who was the 2021 champion of this tournament, failed to achieve back-to-back victories. He finished tied for 30th place. Mackenzie Hughes (Canada) won after a second playoff.

Burns debuted on the PGA Tour in 2019 and has accumulated four wins, currently ranked 13th in the world. He was also selected for the Presidents Cup in 2022, where the International team (excluding the USA and Europe) competes. His main weapon is his long drive, averaging 309.4 yards.