Scottie Scheffler gets unexpected rules break under TIO rule during the final round of The Open
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 06: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Scottie Scheffler walks the 9th hole on March 6, 2026, during the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Arnold Palmers Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 06 PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26030612
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 06: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Scottie Scheffler walks the 9th hole on March 6, 2026, during the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Arnold Palmers Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 06 PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26030612
After Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler got into a controversy of his own. However, unlike the LIV man, the TIO ruling went in the World No. 1’s favour.
Scheffler was chasing back-to-back birdies to tie Cameron Young for the clubhouse lead at the end of the final round. At the par-5 17th hole, Scheffler ran into trouble.
"I need to make something happen there in the last couple holes, you know, tried to tried to do something and the left side there is the safe side and the ball skipped off the grass in front of me and it flew over the the grandstand there, but fortunately it was in the TIO so I was able to get relief," Scheffler told NBC's Cara Banks.
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: Scottie Scheffler of United States of America hits a drive at the 15th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 08 PGA, Golf Herren Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon5732603080214
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: Scottie Scheffler of United States of America hits a drive at the 15th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 08 PGA, Golf Herren Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon5732603080214
Scheffler got his tee shot into the fescue just short of a fairway bunker. He then took his approach shot, and that was the last time he saw the ball. It landed near the hospitality structures behind the hole, and no one found it, as reported by GolfWeek.
That’s when the R&A granted Scheffler relief for a Temporary Immovable Object (TIO), and he took the free drop 90 yards from the pin. Thereafter, the 30-year-old got away with a birdie.
“Teddy had a beat right on where it was coming down,” Scheffler said. “So when we get up there, it's past the fence that marks the TIO, so (the referee) said anything that's in there is it part of the TIO.”
According to Model Local Rule 23F, a player is entitled to a free drop, even if the golf ball isn't found, as long as it’s rested in a TIO. The player gets the drop at the last point the ball crosses the edge of the TIO.
Although fans were surprised by the free drop, the rule clears the air. However, in the end, it did not make much of a difference.
The 30-year-old bogeyed the 18th, which put him at 7-under, not enough to cross the line.
After the round, Scheffler also had his say on DeChambeau’s penalty.
Scottie Scheffler on Bryson DeChambeau’s penalty
Scottie Scheffler had a lot on his mind about DeChambeau’s penalty. Finally, at the end of the Open, he broke his silence.
"All I'll say is Bryson, I've known him for a long time, and he's a lot of things, but he's definitely not a cheater. I've never seen him cheat once, whether we were having a putting contest on the putting green or chipping contest, or anytime we played amateur golf, I never saw anything suspicious,” said Scheffler, as per GolfWeek.
DeChambeau’s intentions on the par-4 5th hole during the second round were being questioned. Although the two-stroke penalty was handed out, the World No.1 believed it was nothing but carelessness on the part of the LIV man.
"When you're watching him there from that camera angle, maybe he was a touch careless around his ball, but I don't think he did anything intentionally,” he added.
Under Rule 8.1, DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty. That significantly affected his momentum as he ended up tied for 14th.
What are your thoughts on the TIO ruling? Share them in the comments.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason