Michael Hoey has fallen foul of the Rules of Golf after bravely fighting his way to a 70 on day two of the 94th PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
In playing the ninth hole, Hoey’s ball was imbedded in sand.
Michael Hoey on the 7th hole on day two of the 2012 PGA Championship but sadly just moments away from being disqualified from his first PGA. (Exclusive photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
As is permitted under the rules, Hoey brushed away sand to identify his ball but he then broke the rules by not recreating the original lie and replacing the sand on his ball.
It was a cruel blow for the reigning Alfred Dunhill Links champion who was competing in his first ever PGA Championship, and who ended the round as only one of seven players to break par.
Hoey had superbly turned around a horror 78 on Thursday with a second day 70 of three birdies and amazingly with just one bogey.
However it was not to well after play had concluded the indiscretion was noticed.
So instead of adding a two stroke penalty to his score, Hoey was thrown out of the tournament for signing for an incorrect score.
