Michael Brennan was disqualified by the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open after a controversial rule violation ended his tournament after round one.
Disqualification After Round One on the PGA Tour
A shocking development at the Farmers Insurance Open: Michael Brennan was disqualified after the first round. The PGA Tour confirmed a violation of the so-called Model Rule G-11, as Brennan used unauthorized materials to analyze the greens. This constituted a clear breach of the rules according to the Tour.
At the time of the disqualification, the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship winner was tied for 55th place at two under par.
What the “Model Rule G-11” Allows and Prohibits
Effective since January 2022, this rule significantly restricts the use of analytical aids. Only PGA Tour-approved yardage books, official information on pin positions, and a course overview in a maximum DIN A4 format are permitted.
Handwritten notes are only allowed if made by the player or their caddie based on their own observations, including rolled or played ball observations and subjective impressions of the putting green. Detailed measurements or third-party green analyses are expressly forbidden.
The rule initially prescribes a two-stroke penalty for a first offense, with disqualification coming only after a subsequent violation. The PGA Tour has not disclosed when Brennan’s violations took place.
A Rule That Sparks Debate
The Model Rule G-11 has been controversial since its implementation. In 2022, Rory McIlroy, then president of the Player Advisory Council, defended the rule forcefully, stating many players had become too reliant on aids for reading greens. “It’s not a huge advantage,” McIlroy said, “but it removes a skill that requires time and practice. Reading greens is an art, and these aids negate individual strengths and advantages.”
German player Alex Cejka was also disqualified under this rule after its introduction for using an unauthorized yardage book.
Hole locations for the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open pic.twitter.com/P4L6jEz39B
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 31, 2026