Charley Hoffman: American golfer calls for changes on PGA Tour on Instagram post | Golf News

Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson back up Charley Hoffman after he ripped into the PGA Tour on Friday, saying there was no accountability at any level and no protection for the players; Hoffman also posted: “You wonder why guys are wanting to jump ship and go play on another tour”

Charley Hoffman called out the PGA Tour for ‘joke’ of a penalty at WM Phoenix Open

Charley Hoffman has called for change on the PGA Tour after stating it a “joke” that he was penalised one stroke after his ball rolled into the water while taking a penalty drop in the second round at the WM Phoenix Open.

Hoffmann, who has four career wins in more than 440 starts, took to social media on Friday to accuse the PGA Tour of not protecting its players over a penalty on the par-five 13th hole.

He went on to suggest that those are among the reasons why players are considering playing on other tours, in reference to a potential Saudi Golf League.

His tee shot headed right and found the water which Hoffman had no complaints about. But after he took a penalty drop, his ball rolled back into the water.

Hoffmann, currently ranked 92 in the world, was forced to take an additional second penalty stroke that led to a score of 7 on the hole en route to shooting 1-over 72 for the day.

Hoffman appears to sympathise with potential defectors to a proposed Saudi-funded league in a social media post

The 45-year-old then took to his Instagram to voice his frustration.

“What a joke @usga@pgatour today on the 13th hole I hit my drive in the water and took a drop on a side of a hill that no grass,” Hoffman wrote.

“Dropped twice then place on a small tuff of grass. Turned around the ball started rolling into the water. I was under the impression that the @usgahad changed that rule. I was wrong. Had to take another penalty for doing nothing wrong at all. Did everything by the book. It’s still mind blowing that a group of amateurs rule the professional game of golf. I also blame the @pgatour rules officials for putting out a terrible penalty area line where this could even happen. No accountability at any level here. No protection for the players at all.

“You wonder why guys are wanting to jump ship and go play on another tour. Players need transparency, protection and consistency. We don’t have that under the current governing bodies.”

Bryson DeChambeau has reportedly been offered an eye-watering sum of money to join the Saudi Golf League

Hoffman, who is one of four player directors on the Tour’s Player Advisory Council, then tagged several media outlets, including Golf Channel, and even the Saudi International account before continuing: “Sorry Jay! We need to do better at all levels of the @pgatour. Including myself who represent the players on the board of the Tour. If we don’t we won’t have a Tour any longer!

“Hopefully there will be a change soon.”

Fellow golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson also responded to Hoffman’s post, with De Chambeau stating ‘Agree wholeheartedly @charleyhoffman’ and Mickelson posting ‘I feel ya.’

Why is Hoffman furious at the US PGA Tour?

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Jamie Weir explains why Hoffman took aim at the PGA Tour on Instagram and why Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson are supporting him

Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir says: “The PGA will be scratching their heads, they’ll be thinking ‘what more do we have to do?’ We’ve made these guys feel valued and certainly financially rewarded for their services yet we’re still having to deal with things like this. It smacks of entitlement, it smacks of privilege, and frankly biting the hand that feeds’.”

Is the Saudi Gold league a gamble?

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Rob Lee and Jamie Spence give their verdict on the Saudi government’s big financial investment into the Asian Tour and the possible threat it posts to the structure of the global game

Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Richard Bland said he considers players joining a possible Saudi Golf League a gamble and feels the breakaway competition is lacking the star appeal of Rory McIlroy.

Greg Norman is the figurehead of a Saudi-backed $300million investment from LIV Golf Investments into the Asian Tour, something he described as “only the beginning”, with the former world No 1 also expected to become the commissioner of a new breakaway Super Golf League (SGL).

The tournaments and formats for the potential league have yet to be publicly announced, with reports of $1.5billion being available to lure players to move from the PGA Tour, although DeChambeau denied he has been offered £100m to feature.

Bland said: “It’s a difficult one, because the money being thrown around is tough to turn down for these players. The people signing are the older players and the ones maybe coming towards their autumn of their careers. They’re thinking about a huge pay out and who wouldn’t, probably?

“Personally, I think it needs Rory McIlroy. Whether you’ve got a Jon Rahm, you’ve got a Collin Morikawa, you’ve got a Justin Thomas or you’ve got a DJ signed up, McIlroy is still the No 1 draw in golf.”

McIlroy has previously spoken out against a potential SGL, referring to the venture last year as a “money grab” and liking it to the European Super League muted in football.