HS golfer DQ’d from US Junior Amateur for new rule breach

The 2026 US Junior Amateur has moved on to match playand a lot of the eye has been on a competitor who narrowly missed out on the ultimate rounds: Charlie Woods.

The 17-year-old son of three-time US Junior Am champ Tiger Woods misplaced in a 14-man playoff on Wednesday for the ultimate two spots within the match-play portion of the occasion. His efforts was made harder by an intrusive camera click from a spectator.

But one other competitor, James Nagle, noticed his hopes of a US Junior Amateur triumph finish a lot earlier. Rather than a results of his play, Nagle’s exit got here within the type of a DQ on Monday, a results of breaching a uncommon, lately adopted rule.

Here’s what it is advisable know.

James Nagle reveals particulars on US Junior Amateur DQ

Nagle might be a highschool senior within the fall, after which he’ll set off on a university golf profession on the University of South Florida. He’s at the moment ranked 331 within the Rolex AJGA rankings.

While he absolutely hoped to climb the rankings with a strong end at this week’s US Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania, the Rules of Golf bought in the way in which.

After ending an opening-round 76 on Saucon Valley’s Grace Course, Nagle was disqualified from the occasion. The cause was a number of breaches of Model Local Rule G-12a new rule adopted at USGA championships in 2023 that prohibits rivals from utilizing green-reading supplies whereas placing.

“During a round, you or your caddie must not use any written, printed, electronic or digital materials to help with reading your line of play for any stroke to be made from the putting green,” a USGA explainer of the rule states. “This includes using your yardage book, any charts, graphs or other notes when your ball is on the putting green for the specific purpose of reading your line of play.”

For a single breach of the rule, rivals are charged two strokes. The punishment for a second offense, nonetheless, is disqualification.

Following his DQ, Nagle took to Instagram to offer extra particulars on the incident. In a narrative, Nagle defined he “was not informed” that green-reading maps weren’t allowed on greens within the match and solely came upon when his enjoying accomplice let him know.

“I was not informed on the fact yardage books with green maps were not permitted to use while on the putting surface. My playing partner warned me that it wasn’t allowed,” Nagle mentioned in his Instagram story. “So, I went to the nearest official rules and explained the situation to them. They told me to finish the round while they reviewed the situation.”

Following his spherical, the principles officers questioned Nagle about his use of green-reading supplies, and when he confirmed he’d used them a number of instances, he was formally disqualified.

“After shooting a 76 on the Grace Course, they asked me if I was sure I had used it more than once and that it was for the sole purpose of getting green information. I said yes. This resulted in the DQ,” Nagle mentioned.

Somewhat confusingly, whereas Model Local Rule G-12 bars gamers from utilizing inexperienced maps whereas placing, yardage books are permitted, even for “reading your line of play,” on another stroke.

“Yardage books are permitted for any use other than to help with reading your line of play for any stroke to be made from the putting green such as determining yardage from the fairway or noting what club you hit,” the rule states.