Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour Season Ends in Frustration

Matt Fitzpatrick was denied a driver change during the final round of the BMW Championship, resulting in a missed Tour Championship berth and a heated exchange with a PGA Tour official.

Matt Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour season came to an abrupt end on Sunday after he failed to qualify for the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Course. Adding to his disappointment, Fitzpatrick found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with a PGA Tour official over a damaged driver during his final round at the BMW Championship.

On the eighth hole, Fitzpatrick approached an official with a request to switch out his driver. The existing driver in his bag had a visible crack, which Fitzpatrick believed was affecting his ball flight. However, PGA Tour officials deemed the crack insufficient to warrant a new driver.

Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour Season Ends in Frustration

"There’s an obvious crack there that’s causing a defect of the ball flight," Fitzpatrick argued to the official.

"We have said no," the official responded.

Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour Season Ends in Frustration

The decision left Fitzpatrick with no choice but to use his defective driver, resulting in a low and left shot that fell well short of his expectations. He noted that the ball traveled approximately 50 yards less than his usual distance.

Fitzpatrick's frustration mounted as he expressed his disbelief to the official.

Fitzpatrick's PGA Tour Season Ends in Frustration

"So, I’m going to have to use 3-wood the rest of the day? That’s what you’re telling me? … This is outrageous."

After confirmation that the PGA Tour's decision stood, Fitzpatrick labeled it an "absolute joke."

PGA Tour chief referee Stephen Cox explained the ruling, stating that the crack did not meet the threshold for damage that would justify a change.

"Although there was a small crack in the face, there was no separation in the metals," Cox said. "That threshold wasn’t met. So, his only choice in that case was to continue using that club."

Fitzpatrick's broadcast partner, Kevin Kisner, expressed disapproval of the ruling, calling it "terrible." Kisner believed that Fitzpatrick's decision to tee off with the damaged driver on the eighth hole was intended to demonstrate its impact on his ball flight.

The missed driver change ultimately prevented Fitzpatrick from qualifying for the Tour Championship. The tournament boasts a $25 million purse, with the last-place finisher still receiving $550,000. Fitzpatrick finished the season 40th in FedEx Cup points, with three Top 10 finishes but no wins.

Fitzpatrick's frustration was evident throughout the incident, and his comments highlighted the ongoing debate within the golf community regarding the balance between player discretion and tournament regulations.