Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee was in support of the new Code of Conduct policy, but he also pointed to Tiger Woods as an example of the behavior he believes has contributed to the rise in player misconduct.

The Code of Conduct policy, under Rule 1.2b, was implemented for the first time when Joaquin Niemann received a two-stroke penalty for “serious misconduct.” Chamblee argued that Woods, despite his success and influence on the sport, also wasn't always at his best in terms of conduct.

"The same is not true of Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods is the greatest player ever. We all love him. Everybody got rich off of him. But he was one of the most profane golfers to ever play the game. He skated through. They [criticized] him to some extent, but it wasn't prolific, and it wasn't pervasive, and he wasn't held to account,” said Chamblee on Golf Channel.

Woods possessed an aura like no other, and his era of dominance inspired an entire generation of golfers. However, Chamblee believed they also learned some of his worst habits, including profanity, club-throwing, and other forms of misconduct.

“Everybody who's playing now grew up watching him. These are Tiger's progeny, if you will, and it rains F-bombs on the PGA Tour. Clubs get thrown all the time, tee markers get destroyed,” he added.

Recent incidents have only strengthened Chamblee's argument. Jon Rahm dropped an F-bomb on the 9th hole and later drop-kicked his driver off the 16th tee, while Joaquin Niemann threw his club about 50 yards and kicked around sand and a volunteer's flag during the first round.

However, now that the Code of Conduct policy has been put into practice, the Golf Channel analyst was certain that it would be a good step for the sport.

Chamblee backs the Code of Conduct policy

Rule 1.2b of the Rules of Golf gives tournament committees the authority to enforce appropriate player behavior on the course.

“It's great that this code of conduct has been passed. It's great that it's sending a message to the players. What Sergio did at Augusta National, I think that sent a message,” Chamblee said.

At Augusta this year, Sergio Garcia received a code of conduct warning for breaking his driver on a cooler. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre had also received one.

“These guys have just run amok, and I think it's great that the code of conduct has been put in place,” Chamblee said.

Now, with Niemann being penalized, players will certainly be mindful of their conduct and will keep up the values of the game.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav