Watching Kitayama today on 18 mark his ball made me wonder what is the rule about how you are to do it. His mark was not right on the ball. What do the rules say about how close the mark is supposed to be to the ball? (And, I know I could probably look it up, but TexAgs is more enjoyable).

He's not in yet 😅 pic.twitter.com/a0JT051Kca

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 5, 2023

My understanding is you need to place the ball back where it was marked, always no closer to the hole. I dont think there is technically a measurement of where you place your mark directly behind (or to the side when moving it out of a players line). You just have to put the ball in the same place.

Hovland was very cool about that today allowing him the space and time to mark that ball for him to finish. He still 3 jacked it but that mark could have cost Hovland hundreds if thousands of dollars had he hit it and missed.

He had to mark his ball a fraction back so the ball could rest squarely on the green to do his final putt. Typically you are to mark your coin or ball marker just right behind your ball.

I was hoping that NBC would cut away from that close up shot of the ball.

I was dreading that a viewing rules "aficionado" would call NBC and then NBC would announce that a viewer had called in with a rules infraction when I saw that.

He put it back where he marked it, no issue.

Good deal for Kitayama on getting that huge win.

Lexi Thompson and mark o'meara say hi….

Both were caught remarking their ball to gain a little advantage

Why did he mark it and not just sweep it in?

tamu2009 said:

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Why did he mark it and not just sweep it in?

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So that he can have the moment to celebrate instead of having to then wait for Hovland to finish out.

DannyDuberstein said:

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It's also a courtesy to Hovland. Even though he couldn't win he still has big $$$ on the line, and once KK taps in, much more commotion in the gallery to deal with while Hovland is still trying to finish.

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This is exactly why he did it. Gave Hovland the opportunity to really focus on his three putt. I'm kidding. It's 100% the class move.

booradley said:

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Lexi Thompson and mark o'meara say hi….

Both were caught remarking their ball to gain a little advantage

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What was his nickname? Mark O'Nearer or something like that?

I played with someone who did that very thing. Placed the mark in front of the ball then placed the ball back in front of the mark. Bush league.